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Some of the world’s largest drug firms will no longer sell cold remedies targeted at infants in the USA, due to safety concerns.
The voluntary decision by companies including Johnson & Johnson, Wyeth and Novartis comes two weeks after US Government health officials said parents should not give the over-the-counter medicines to children younger than two.
Although many of the products come in drop-size doses which are designed for youngsters, the Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) trade group said there had been rare instances of parents accidentally giving overdoses to young children.
Last month the CHPA said it agreed with government officials that the drugs’ use should be restricted, but had previously stopped short of removing the products from the market.
Cold medicines being withdrawn include versions of Johnson & Johnson’s Pediacare®(pseudoephedrine/chlorpheniramine/dextromethorphan) and Tylenol® (paracetamol) drops, Wyeth’s Dimetapp® (brompheniramine/dextromethorphan/phenylephrine/phenylpropanolamine) drops, Novartis’ Triaminic® (chlorpheniramine/phenylpropanolamine) strips and Prestige’s Little Colds® decongestant.
Pharmacy chain CVS Caremark said it would remove the affected products, as well as CVS-brand equivalents, from its stores’ shelves.
CHPA spokeswoman Virginia Cox said: “The manufacturers made this decision after a lot of consideration and with great care for the best interests of parents and children.”
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