Saturday, March 03, 2007

U.S. reviewing safety of children's cough drugs

Ages ago our DAN ped told us that NONE, really NONE of the drugs are tested on for/on children. And where do you think our ASD kids fall? Kids that have unique wiring to consider? Totally screwed and up to Dr. Mom and Dad to figure it out.

Finally the FDA is admitting there's a problem. And only because they have to since a petition of "prominent" pediatricians forced them to. Frominent? Hmmm...very interesting don't you think? There are far too many comments to post for fear I'd bore ya'll. However, I cannot resist posting my favorite quotes so far on this topic. As always, if you really want to know what's going on, just read the last paragraph of any article and you'll find the gems! Here goes:

"In a recent study of hospital emergency room records from 2004 and 2005, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that at least 1,519 children under age 2 had suffered serious health problems after being treated with common cough and cold medicines. Three of the children died, the disease control agency found."

"Like hundreds of older drugs, many of the medicines in these products did not receive thorough safety reviews by the F.D.A. "

"Parents will do anything for their kids," Dr. Sharfstein said. "They will buy expensive syrups if they think their kid will do better."

"The agency has put all the compounds on a "monograph," meaning that manufacturers can use and combine them in pills and syrups without doing any of the expensive and lengthy studies that would be needed for a new drug. Because the drugs are so widely available, there is no incentive for manufacturers to perform such studies. Information about their lack of efficacy and worrisome side effects have trickled out. "

"There is this incredible disparity between how the products are regulated and what the scientific evidence and consensus states," Dr. Sharfstein said.

An excellent example of economics working its magic. Supply and demand. That's all it is.

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