In a voluntary drug withdrawal initiated by the FDA, major manufacturers of over-the-counter cold and cough medicine targeted to infants have withdrawn their products.
The stated reason was to avoid misuse by misinformed parents. The withdrawal only affects products for infants, leaving products for use in children 2 and older on the market.
Further research, and further negotiations between pharmaceutical companies and the FDA will decide the fate of cold medicines marketed to the 2 – 6 year old population.
In the New York Times, Dr. Daniel Fratarelli, a pediatrician on the American Academy of Pediatric’s committee on drugs stated in regard to pediatric cough and cold medicines, "I don’t recommend their use in any child… These medicines don’t help, they may hurt, so don’t use them."
Leave a Reply