英语六级巅峰阅读附详解-第5期-儿童处方药有多安全.docx

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英语六级巅峰阅读附详解第5期:儿童处方药有多安全

HowSafeAreKIDS'PrescriptionDrugs?Drugsprescribedtochildrenandadolescentshavebeenmuchinthenewslately.HealthCanadahasissuedwarningsaboutsomedrugsthatbothpatientsandphysicianstrusted,andithaswithdrawnothersfromthemarket.What'sgoingon?Parentsshouldunderstandthesecomplicatedandconfusingissues.HowArePrescriptionDrugsApprovedinCanada?Whenapharmaceuticalcompanyhasanewdrug.itappliestoHealthCanadaforalicencetosellit.Basedoninformationthecompanyprovides,includingtheresultsofclinicaltrials,thedrugiseitherapprovedortheapplicationisrejected.IsThereaDifferenceintheWayDrugsAreApprovedforChildrenandAdults?Normally.drugsaretestedinadultsfirst.Dr.DenisDaneman.aclinicalinvestigatoratTheHospitalforSickChildreninToronto,says,“wehavetoberemarkablycarefulbecausechildrenarephysiologicallydifferentthanadultsandareseenbyphysiciansasahighlyvulnerablegroup.”WhatHappensOnceaDrugIsApproved?“Onceapproved,”explainsDaneman.“it'savailableonthemarketanddoctorscanprescribeitforanyindicationthey'dliketo.”Evenifithasnotbeentestedspecificallyinchildren.hesays.“physiciansmaystarttouseiteitherinsmalltrialsorwhatwecalloff-label(useofaprescriptiondrugtotreataconditionforwhichthedrughasnotbeenapproved)inchildren.”HowCommonIsOff-labelUse?Dr.MichaelRieder.directoroftheAdverseDrugReactionClinicattheChildren'sHospitalofWesternOntario,says,“drugscommonlyusedinchildren，suchasantibiotcsandasthmadrugs,aretestedinchildren.”But,hesays,“thereisamisconceptionthatchildrentakeonlythosedrugs.WedidastudylookingatamillionkidsinCanadaoverayear.Itturnsouttheyusedl,400differentdrugs,ofwhich60percenthavenotbeentested,orapprovedforuseinchildren.”IfaDrugIsSafeinAdults,WhyDoYouNeedtoTestItinchildren?HealthCanada'sDr.SiddikaMithanisays.“childrenarenotsmalladults.”Theirphysiologyisdifferent.Thatgoesforadolescents.too.Dr.EricWookltorton.anOttawa-basedfamilyphysicianwhowritesacolumnonadverseeventsfortheCanadianMedicalAssociationJournal,says,“DepoProveraisan