24 October 2007 

Opinion 

THE Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) refers to the recent reports that cough and cold medicines do not work in children and should not be used for those younger than six years old. 

As US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) panel of advisers gave this recommendation after examining medicines that are sold for treatment of common cold ailments, it would apply to medicines that contain decongestants, expectorants, and anti-histamines and cough suppressants. The FDA is expected to act on these recommendations.

Children younger than six would be especially vulnerable to any adverse effects of medications, and this would apply even more to the under-two age group. 

In the US, it is reported that the drug industry has pre-emptively moved to eliminate sales of such non-prescription medicines targeted at children under two. 

CAP calls on the Health Ministry to take early steps to prohibit the use of cough and cold medicines in young children