Dear Colleagues,

I am very pleased to announce the publication of this latest position statement produced by the Neonatal and Paediatric Pharmacist Group (NPPG) in conjunction with the British Paediatric Neurology Association (BPNA) and British Academy of Childhood Disability (BACD).

This position statement was written following the recent MRHA Drug Safety Update in October 2021 describing new restrictions to the use of Chloral Hydrate and Chloral Betaine. This statement helps provide clarity around the off-label use of chloral hydrate in management of children and young people with movement disorders. It also provides recommendations for appropriate discontinuation of chloral hydrate used for treatment of insomnia in the absence of movement and motor disorders.

We do hope that this position statement provides useful information and advice to guide your practice.

Nigel Gooding
Neonatal and Paediatric Pharmacist Group Chair