Monday, October 22, 2007

Children's Medicine Banned?

An FDA panel recently urged a ban on popular over-the-counter cold medicines for children. The panel found there was no proof that these medicines reduced symptoms in young children, but there were a few incidents of harmful side effects. Manufacturers vowed to fight a potential ban.

The vote to ban medicine for children under the age of 2 was 21-1, but for children age 2-6 was only 13-9. Generally speaking, when the vote is one-sided the FDA will follow the recommendation, but when it's close, the FDA chooses to ignore the panel's recommendation.

I'm not sure about anyone else, but I certainly don't relish the thought of sick children and no medicine. You're always going to have some idiots who don't follow the instructions correctly, but that should not mean the product should be banned altogether for those of us who are both responsible and intelligent.

There's my two cents.

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