View Document - Parliament of South Africa

685 WEDNESDAY, 22 OCTOBER 2008
686
These cases have occurred as a result of
incorrect dose or dosing frequency as well as
the use of more than one cough and cold
preparation at a time. In addition, cases of
overdose occur when these medicines are
not stored out of reach of children.
In response to these concerns, the MCC has
requested all manufacturers of these products
to provide information on the safety of
the ingredients in their preparations in children
under two years. Some manufacturers
have already taken steps to discontinue the
use of their products in these young children.
Once the MCC has reviewed all available
information, regulatory actions will be taken
to improve the safe use of cough and cold
medicines in South Africa.
While these investigations are under way the
MCC urges parents and caregivers to heed
the following warnings and advice before
using cough and cold preparations in children:
● Avoid the use of cough and cold medicines
in children under the age of two years
unless instructed to do so by a qualified
doctor or pharmacist. A health care professional
should be consulted even if the
product information in the package insert
or patient information leaflet allows the
use in children under two years of age.
● If it is necessary to give a cough and cold
medicine, be sure to read the active
ingredients carefully. These products often
have many ingredients, therefore it is
advisable not to give more than one cough
and cold product to a child. If you use two
different cough and cold medicines or a
medicine for fever that has the same or
similar active ingredients, the child could
get an overdose which can harm the child.
● Read the dosing instructions carefully to
check that you are not giving a larger dose
than is recommended. Also do not use the
medicine more often than is recommended.
● Ask a healthcare professional for advice
if you have questions about these medicines
or are not sure how to use these
medicines properly.
● Only use the measuring spoons or cups
that come with the medicine or those made
specially for measuring medicines. Do not
use common household spoons to measure
medicines for children because they are
usually not accurate and can lead to
incorrect dosing.
● Choose OTC cough and cold preparations
with childproof safety caps, when available,
store these medicines out of reach of
children.
● It is important not to use these medicines
to sedate your child or make children
sleepy.
● It is important to understand that cough
and cold medicines do not treat the cause
of the symptoms and do not shorten the
length of time your child is sick. They only
relieve symptoms and make children more
comfortable. These symptoms can also be
managed by rest, sufficient fluid intake and
by making the child feel comfortable and
comforted.
● If symptoms persist beyond a few days or
worsen, this may suggest a more serious
problem that needs to be seen by a
healthcare professional. In addition, if you
are concerned about the health of the
child, the child should be brought to a
healthcare practitioner for medical evaluation.
Parents and caregivers are urged to report
any problems they experience when using
medicines in children to their healthcare
professionals.
For more information contact Charity
Bhengu 083 679 7424
Issued by:
National Department of Health