Personal Injury Law

FDA Does Not Pull Children?s Cold Medicines Despite Doctor?s Opinion

By Steven M. Levin and John J. Perconti

A top government health official rejected pediatricians? calls for an immediate ban on over-the-counter cough and cold medicines for young children, saying it might cause unintended harm. The pediatricians said they were uncomfortable with the lack of solid scientific data to support continued use of OTC remedies with youngsters, particularly from ages 2-6. The FDA believes a ban might only drive parents to give adult medicines to their youngsters. Pediatricians are urging the government to demand a recall of over-the-counter cough and cold medicines for children younger than 6. They claim the effectiveness of the medicines in children was never proven, and problems with the drugs send thousands of kids to the emergency room every year. The pediatricians say that over the counter products are ineffective for treating coughs and colds in children under 6, and should not be given because of the risk of serious side effects. Everyone agrees that these medications should not be given to anyone under the age of 2. To read the full story, click here.

Full post as published by Illinois Medical Malpractice Blog on October 04, 2008 (boomark / email).