Pediatric Cough and Cold Medications

A 'Perspective' article in today's NEJM [Volume 357:2321-2324 December 6, 2007 Number 23] expresses concern about the inabiity of the FDA to stop the marketing of products determined to be useless, compared to placebo, but dangerous to children, and is worth reading carefully. In recent weeks, over-the-counter cough and cold medications for children have received unprecedented attention from regulators, physicians, the media, and parents. This scrutiny represents a long-overdue reassessment of products that were purchased by 39% of U.S. households during the past 3 years.1 It also reflects an important evolution in the standard of evidence for medications used in children.