The FDA has decided not to ban pediatric OTC cold and cough medicine, even though it has been shown to be ineffective and even dangerous to our children. One of the major objections to the ban is a reasonable one. The FDA recognizes that in the event of a total ban some parents will opt to give their young children adult versions of the same drugs. I’m going to be bringing up this point anytime someone tells me that the War on Drugs keeps our children safe.
In many cases, the active ingredients in children’s cold medicines have never been studied in children. The American Academy of Pediatrics says that “several studies show that cold and cough products don’t work in children younger than 6 years and can have potentially serious side effects.â€
An FDA official said the agency is wary of banning the drugs altogether, because that could lead parents to simply start giving their children adult cold medicine, the AP reports. “It really is a conundrum for us,†John Jenkins, who heads the FDA’s Office of New Drugs, said.
Health Blog : FDA Rejects Ban On Cough & Cold Medicines for Kids.
I think that’s a stunning admission for an agent of our government. Maybe Jenkins should be the next Drug Czar.
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