No cold medicines for kids under four, say Pharma firms

Drug manufacturers also promised to add language to medications containing antihistamine products to warn parents not to drug their children for the purposes of helping them sleep.

Recently, healthcare groups, including physicians’ groups, sought a ban on the medications for all children under the age of six. But the FDA rejected the plea fearing that such a move may compel parents – in the absence of children’s option – to administer adult medications to kids.

However, the Consumer Healthcare Products Association represented by drug majors like Johnson & Johnson, Procter & Gamble and Novartis maintained that the drugs are safe when used appropriately.