Please note that this document has currently passed its review date. Work is ongoing with colleagues at BPSED to review the evidence and update  guidance relating to which patients are most at risk of adrenal suppression as a result of corticosteroid use. Separately, work to review the content and format of the national steroid treatment cards is underway. The NPPG Executive Committee have agreed that is logical to allow these pieces of work to complete before updating this position statement, but to continue to make the document available for reference in the interim.

Dear Colleagues

I am very pleased to announce the publication of this latest position statement produced by the Neonatal and Paediatric Pharmacist Group (NPPG), with input and review by the British Society for Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes (BSPED) regarding the use of steroid medication warning cards in children and young people.

This position statement provides clear guidance on the two different steroid cards that are available for use for children and young people and when each of these cards should be issued. We recommend that pharmacists dispensing corticosteroids for children and young people check
whether the patient and family have received the appropriate steroid treatment card and, if not, issue one where it is appropriate.

I would like to also thank the following for their time in providing support and advice to NPPG in the preparation of this position statement: – Jane Hutchinson-Jones, Nabil Boulos, Courtney Edrich and Andrea Gill.

I do hope that all organisations find the information contained in this position statement useful
in their practice.

Nigel Gooding
Neonatal and Paediatric Pharmacist Group Chair