Cough-Medicine Dilemma Widens

Advisory Panel Says Children Under Six Shouldn't Get Drugs

A Food and Drug Administration advisory panel said Friday there is no evidence that over-the-counter cold and cough medicines work in children and the products shouldn't be given to those younger than 6 years old.

The committee's recommendations, if the FDA chooses to follow them, would cap an extraordinary reversal of decades of medical and commercial practice with the drugs, which have long been marketed to treat children and even young toddlers ... Full Story »

Posted by Kaizar Campwala
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Subjects: Health, Business, Politics, U.S.
Member Tags: over the counter
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Posted by: Posted by Kaizar Campwala - Oct 20, 2007 - 9:59 AM PDT
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3.9
by Joe Pallas - Oct. 20, 2007

An informative story about the issue, although lacking a bit in context (past and present standards for OTC drugs for children) and it would have been nice to hear from a source that wasn't directly involved in the issue.

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4.5
by Patricia Blochowiak - Oct. 20, 2007

As a physician, I am thrilled to see progress towards getting harmful and useless products off the market. To show the big picture, though, the story would need to mention how many over-the-counter medications have no benefit, have documented side-effects, but are sold using fear tactics. The story would also need to mention how the process of determining the effectiveness of medications is dominated by the pharmaceutical industry.

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4.1
by Jack Dinkmeyer - Oct. 20, 2007

When Sister and I were very young and came down with colds or flu, Dad always gave us a mixture of hot water, honey, lemon, and a touch of bourbon. I still use this remedy, although the amount of bourbon has increased considerably. Does it really cure anything? Who knows? One certainly feels better after taking it,

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4.5
by Kaizar Campwala - Oct. 20, 2007
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3.5
by Fabrice Florin - Oct. 20, 2007
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