Response to cough medicine recall
27.03.08
In response to the MHRA move to recall certain
cough medicines, Professor Steve Field, chair of the Royal College
of General Practitioners (RCGP), said:
"Children under two years old do not need
cough medicine. This story reinforces the advice that GPs
have been giving out for many years. Parents of children with
coughs require reassurance and the sensible advice would be to use
paracetamol as needed to help reduce temperature and ease pain.
Children should also be given plenty to drink and steam may help
blocked noses. For older children there does appear to be a benefit
from simple cough mixture including mixtures of glycerol and lemon
and honey but they are of no benefit in children under two."
ends.
For more information please contact the RCGP press
office 020 7344 3135/3136/3137/3129 or email press@rcgp.org.uk