Overview/Mission
OPPTB promotes basic, translational, and clinical research to improve the safety and efficacy of therapeutics (primarily pharmaceuticals) and to ensure centralization and coordination of research, clinical trials, and drug development activities for obstetric and pediatric populations.
The branch is responsible for developing and supporting a comprehensive national effort to increase the knowledge base for understanding how to appropriately treat disease during pregnancy, infancy, childhood, and adolescence using evidence-based therapeutic approaches. The goal of this effort is to assure that medications are appropriately tested for dosing, safety, and effectiveness within their target populations.
Multiple gaps in knowledge regarding the use of therapeutics in children and pregnant women have resulted in inadequate labeling and frequent off-label use of prescription drugs in these two populations. One of the branch's major activities is implementation of the Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act (BPCA). The BPCA legislation promotes the prioritization of off-patent drugs that need further study in pediatrics and allows NICHD to sponsor clinical research of the prioritized therapeutics and disseminate results to improve drug labeling.
Highlights
- Pediatric Pharmacology Training in the United States: At the most recent T32 Fellows' meeting, OPPTB's Dr. George Giacoia discussed NICHD's efforts to enhance the pediatric pharmacology program through effective collaborations and innovative research projects.
- Primary Pediatric Hypertension Workshop: OPPTB sponsored a stakeholder workshop at 6710B Rockledge Drive, Bethesda, Maryland, on September 25, 2017. The meeting highlighted the gaps in current treatment guidelines on pediatric hypertension.
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