MedsafeThursday 22 July 2010, 5:09PM
Media release from Medsafe
From 1 May next year cough and cold medicines for children under
12 years of age containing dextromethorphan and phenylephrine will
only be sold in pharmacies.
Products containing these ingredients will only be available in
supermarkets from 1 May 2011 if they are re-labelled for use in
adults and children over 12 years of age. All non-compliant
products will be removed from supermarket shelves from this
date.
Group Manager of Medsafe, Dr Stewart Jessamine, said re-classifying
products containing dextromethorphan and phenylephrine to
pharmacy-only means parents will be able to get professional advice
on how to use these medicines safely before buying them for their
children.
"These changes are in line with the recommendations made to the
Health Minister by the Medicines Classification Committee and
Medsafe following concerns about safety of these medicines in
children and are similar to changes being made or considered in
other countries such as Australia and the United Kingdom."
"If a parent is unsure of the best way to treat their child, they
should seek advice from their general practitioner or a healthcare
professional," Dr Jessamine said. "I would advise
parents not to use over-the-counter cough and cold medicines for
children under six years of age," he said.