Patient safety from the start: Safe medicine use for children

World Patient Safety Day 2025
Theme: Safe care for every newborn and child
Date: September 17, 2025

Administering medicine to a sick child is not the same as administering it to an adult patient. Children can be very fussy when they are unwell, and even the most careful parent may make a mistake in such a stressful moment.

Giving the wrong medicine, inaccurate timing of dosages, or administering an inappropriate formulation are some of the errors that can result in a pediatric emergency. This is because children are more susceptible to adverse effects due to their smaller bodies, which are still growing. Parents and caregivers must therefore exercise caution at all times when administering medicines to children. World Patient Safety Day 2025 is, therefore, a perfect moment to highlight this critical topic on safe medicine use for children.

Below are 8 things parents should always double-check before administering medicine to a sick child:

1. The right child

Before giving medicine to children, especially in a household with multiple children, parents should always check the child’s name on the medicine bottle. Furthermore, the sharing of medicines among siblings is not recommended, even if they have similar symptoms. Do not assume that because a medicine is safe for one child, it is safe for the other one.

2. The right medicine and strength

Children’s medications have different formulations and strengths. For example, there is paracetamol (240mg/ 5ml) syrup for children and paracetamol (120 mg/ 5ml) syrup for infants. The same applies to many other classes of medicines, such as antibiotics and multivitamins. Parents and caregivers should always double-check and read the label carefully to ensure that the medicine is the right one for the age, weight, and condition of the child. An overdose or underdose can occur when the wrong formulation or strength is administered to a child. It is therefore important to read the label every time before giving the medicine to the child, since it is easy to reach for the wrong bottle, especially for look-alike and sound-alike drugs. Medicines must always stay in their original packaging for easier identification to avoid medication errors.

3. The right dose

When it comes to children, the doses are calculated based on their weight, and hence it is important to use the child’s accurate weight. Using old weight measurements and estimating doses is not recommended since even a small difference in the required dose could result in a different outcome. Always follow the instructions given by your doctor and pharmacist. You should also double-check the units of measurement, such as milligrams vs millilitres.

4. The right measuring tool

Parents and caregivers must always use the correct dosing devices provided with liquid medicines. Using table spoons is not recommended since they do not provide a standardized volume. Always ask your pharmacist to provide you with a dosing syringe, a dosing cup, a dropper, or spoons that come with the medicine.

5. The right timing and frequency

To ensure that a child’s medicine works effectively, parents must ensure they administer it at the correct time and the correct frequency. Failure to adhere to the correct dosing schedule means doses may be given either too close together or some doses may be skipped. Giving doses too close together may result in adverse effects, whereas skipping doses makes the medicine less effective. Set alarm clocks and reminders to ensure you stay on track with the medicine schedule for your child. In the event that a dose is missed, never double-dose. Instead, consult your doctor or pharmacist for guidance.

6. The right storage

Always follow the storage instructions provided by your pharmacist and read the medicine label for storage directions. Some medicines require refrigeration, whereas others require room temperature storage.
All medicines must be stored out of reach of children and in their original packaging to avoid accidental ingestion. A lockable cabinet is highly recommended, even if there are child-resistant caps on the medicine bottle.

7. The right route

Always confirm the correct route of administration from both the medicine label and your pharmacist. Common mix-ups happen involving ear drops versus eye drops, oral solutions versus topical solutions, oral liquids versus inhaled liquids, as well as oral sprays versus nasal sprays. Using the wrong route might result in unpleasant side effects, such as mouth ulceration, if a solution is ingested instead of inhaled. When in doubt, always consult your pharmacist.

8. The right instructions

Before you leave the pharmacy, ensure that all your questions are answered. Important details to find out from your pharmacist include what side effects to anticipate, possible interactions with the other drugs the child is taking, and if there are any special timing instructions with regard to food and other drugs.

Safety Tips

• Do not refer to any medicine as candy because this can encourage children to take it unsupervised, thinking it is candy.
• If someone else is administering medicines to your child, leave clear written instructions including the name of the medicine, the correct dose, the correct time and frequency, as well as any special directions.
• Always remind healthcare providers about any allergic reactions to medications that your child has experienced in the past.
• Ensure that medicines are always stored in areas with adequate lighting.
• If you are unsure about how to administer a drug, have another caregiver double-check it.
• Always check the date of expiry on the medicine bottle before administering it.
• Check the active ingredients, as many OTC formulations, like cough and cold medicines, have the same ingredients.
• Read any special instructions every time, even if you have done so before.

Final Dose of Clarity

Parents and caregivers must exercise extra caution when it comes to the administration of medicine in children. Always slow down and double-check every single time in order to make every dose a safe one for your child. When in doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
This World Patient Safety Day 2025, let us commit to protecting children not just from illness, but from harm.

Disclaimer: Health information shared here is for education only. Please speak to your doctor or pharmacist before making decisions about your health or medications.