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January 24, 2008
Pediatric OTC cough and cold
The battle is proceeding apace. The Baltimore Health Commissioner is pushing the issue of safety and efficacy of the OTC cough and cold preparations in children before the FDA. Doctors are elated on the one hand that they have found a voice in the drug process. OTOH they are assailed by parents who "know better about their own kids." I had a mother the other day assail me because she "didn't want her child to ever be sick" so she had hoarded quantities of these medicines. I heard a poll mentioned on the radio last week in which the majority of parents "thought" the medicines worked and were safe. So evidence to the contrary, we are to make decisions based on the anecdotal whims of individuals. (Not that I am against anecdotal whims entirely, when there is no good evidence.)
But most interesting is the response of the drug companies. They emphasized the safety of these drugs when used as directed. They failed to mention the lack of efficacy when used as directed. Which may be why parents don't use them as directed.
Social iatrogenesis | By Robert Maddox | 01:35 PM