Are over-the-counter medications safe for kids?

Over-the-counter medications made specifically for children have been getting some attention lately, as a major pediatrician group advised that these medications be banned. However, the FDA has rejected the request for a lack of information. Additionally, it’s thought that if these medications are no longer available, parents will begin treating their children with adult-strength medication.

According to an article children’s cough and cold medications on MSNBC, the reason is this:

“With a new cold season coming, pediatricians are urging the government to demand a recall of over-the-counter cough and cold medicines for children younger than 6. The effectiveness of the medicines in children was never scientifically established, critics say, and problems with the drugs send thousands of kids to the emergency room every year.”

For years drug makers and medical device manufacturers have known of risks associated with their products.  It used to be that you could count on the FDA to weed out harmful products. On the heels of questionable products comes legislation from the Bush administration, which could prohibit product liability litigation on all sorts of consumer products. Essentially, these laws would protect large corporations – not the consumers. See this article in the Wall Street Journal for more information.

There has been a concerted governmental effort to protect these corporations and their profits at the expense of consumers.  The law firm of Balkan & Patterson, LLP is dedicated to helping consumers who have been injured by defective products, pharmaceuticals and devices and holding accountable the corporations who have known of the problems but put profits over people. Visit our firm’s website at www.balkanpatterson.com for more information.