Pharmacists need cold review
September 27, 2012
PHARMACISTS need to take the
time to review the recent
Therapeutic Goods Administration
advice about the use of cough and
cold medicines in children under
11, according to NPS.
The advice follows a string of
reports from the NPS Medicines
Line which seem to suggest that
consumers are receiving conflicting
advice from their pharmacists.
In addition, the NPS has also
received reports that despite the
TGA advice, some pharmacies are
continuing to sell cough and cold
medicines for children under 6
years, while others are refusing to
sell these medicines for children
over 6 years without a prescription.
“This is not only misleading for
consumers, but it is a serious safety
concern,” said NPS Head of
Programs Karen Kaye.
“We urge pharmacists to review
the recent advice from the TGA and
discontinue sales of cough and cold
medicines for children under 6.
“For children between the ages of
6 and 11, cough and cold medicines
can still be sold but only on the
advice of a doctor, pharmacist or
nurse practitioner.
“Despite what some pharmacists
are saying, these medicines do not
require a prescription and their
scheduling remains the same,” she
added.
The new cough and cold medicine
warnings, released by the TGA on
15 August, followed a TGA review
which found that medications
including antihistamines,
mucolytics/expectorants
antitussives and decongestants
may cause harm to children, and
that the benefits of using cough
and cold medications in children
have not been proven.
The result of the review saw the
TGA advise parents and healthcare
practitioners that cough and cold
medicines should not be given to
kids under 6; and that these drugs
should only be given to children
aged 6 to 11 years on the advice of
a doctor, pharmacist or nurse
practitioner.
“In light of these restrictions,
pharmacists and other health
professionals are in a good position
to advise parents and carers about
the management of symptoms and
the self-limiting nature of most viral
respiratory infections,” said Kaye.
“Providing practical advice for
parents or carers to ease the
discomfort of their sick child can go
a long way,” she added.
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