Say no to cold meds for kids Under 4

Following the trail of growing evidence, and potential liability, of the dangers to children of over-the-counter (OTC) cold medications sold for children, drug companies said Tuesday that the medicines should not be given to children younger than 4 years old. The companies say they are acting from “an abundance of caution”.
“This is another step in the reassessment of children’s over-the-counter cough and cold medications that has been going on,” Woodcock said. “We at FDA support these voluntary actions at CHPA [Consumer Healthcare Products Association]. We are continuing to assess the safety and efficacy of these products.”

Also, after years of inaction, the companies said they would begin using child-resistant packaging and new measuring devices for the products.

According to the FDA, the agency would revise the OTC marketing rules, not changed since the 1970s.

While the changes are a step in the right direction, many consumer health advocate he changes are very late in coming.

Source
FDA