📖 ABSTRACT/OVERVIEW
Background: Nigeria does not have a dedicated Paediatric Essential Medicines List (pEML) distinct from the adult essential medicines list, resulting in significant gaps in the availability and rational use of child-appropriate formulations. Constructing an evidence-based national pEML represents a critical public health intervention to reduce preventable child mortality and morbidity. This research systematically constructs and validates a draft national pEML for Nigeria. Methods: The research spans four integrated phases. Phase one conducts a systematic review of paediatric disease burden data and medicine need profiles across Nigeria's 36 states. Phase two assesses current availability of child-appropriate formulations in public health facilities using a 30-state facility survey. Phase three employs stakeholder analysis involving paediatricians, pharmacists, public health experts, and caregivers (n = 120) to identify priority medicines and formulation requirements. Phase four uses a two-round Delphi consensus process (n = 60 experts) to finalise a draft pEML with formulation, dosage form, and age-range specifications. Results: Systematic review identified 28 high-burden paediatric conditions. Facility survey revealed availability gaps in liquid formulations for essential antibiotics and antiepileptics in over 60 percent of sites. Delphi consensus achieved agreement on 142 priority paediatric medicines and flagged 38 formulation gaps requiring new product development. Conclusion: This study produces the first evidence-based draft national pEML for Nigeria, grounded in disease burden data, facility availability evidence, and expert consensus. It provides a policy-ready document for Federal Ministry of Health adoption. Keywords: paediatric essential medicines, Nigeria, Delphi consensus, child health, essential medicines list
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