Sale of cough, cold medicines for children under 6 reviewed

From CBC News:
Banning over-the-counter cough and cold medicines for children under six might drive parents to resort to adult medicines, a U.S. health official said in weighing a recall of products to fight runny noses, hacking and congestion.

Some pediatricians and consumer groups are seeking a ban on the sale of the cough and cold medicines for children, saying the value of the products remains unproven and they are potentially risky.

At a public hearing Thursday, officials with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration agreed there is a lack of solid evidence to support the use of the pediatric cough and cold medicines, especially in those aged two to six.

But if parents turn to adult medicines, the results could be worse, said Dr. John Jenkins, head of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Office of New Drugs. ...more