Consumers Encouraged To Talk To Their Pharmacist

Main Category: Pharma Industry / Biotech Industry
Also Included In: Pediatrics / Children's Health;  Primary Care / General Practice;  Regulatory Affairs / Drug Approvals
Article Date: 13 Oct 2007 - 0:00 PDT

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Consumers concerned about the recent withdrawal of certain infant multi-symptom cough and cold over-the-counter (OTC) products can seek guidance from their pharmacist and physician about treatment options. This voluntary product withdrawal by the manufacturers does not reflect product safety concerns but rather concerns with patterns of misuse leading to overdosing, particularly in infants less than two years of age.

"The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) strongly encourages parents to discuss the treatment needs of their children with their medication use specialist - their pharmacist," said Winnie Landis, APhA President and community pharmacist. "Pharmacists can assist consumers in selecting among available treatment options and determining when the child needs to be referred to a physician."

APhA issues the following guidance to consumers:

-- Patients with questions are encouraged to talk to their pharmacist about their medication needs.

-- This voluntary recall does not relate to the medications for children two years of age and older.

-- Some manufacturers, recognizing the inconvenience this recall may create, are providing coupons for consumers to use on other products. To obtain these coupons or answers about specific products, consumers should contact the product's manufacturer.

If disposing unused medications:

-- DO NOT FLUSH unused medications, except when expressly instructed by the label.

-- To ensure children and pet protection, crush or dissolve medications in water (also applies to liquids) and mix with kitty litter or a solid kitchen substance (such as coffee grinds), then place in a sealed plastic bag and dispose.

-- To ensure protection of your privacy, remove and destroy all identifying personal information (such as the prescription label) from the medication container.

When selecting over-the-counter medication for your child:

-- Provide the age and weight of the patient to your pharmacist.

-- Discuss with your pharmacist the symptoms you are trying to treat and the duration of those symptoms.

-- Provide a list of the types of products you have already used and the results achieved.

-- Read product labeling, take the medication as directed, learn of possible side effects, and know what to avoid while taking the medication (such as to prevent duplication of active ingredients). -- Obtain appropriate medication administration aids (i.e. droppers, syringes, etc.) and ask the pharmacist how to use them properly.

This voluntary action does not affect non-infant cough and cold OTC products, single-ingredient analgesics, nasal spray/drops, or rubs expressly labeled for infants. The products affected in this withdrawal are:

-- Dimetapp® Decongestant Plus Cough Infant Drops - 3-0031-2242-01-4

-- Dimetapp® Decongestant Infant Drops - 3-0031-2283-78-9

-- Little Colds® Decongestant Plus Cough - 7-56184-14021

-- Little Colds® Multi-Symptom Cold Formula - 7-56184-14041

-- PEDIACARE® Infant Drops Decongestant (containing pseudoephedrine) - 7140105

-- PEDIACARE® Infant Drops Decongestant & Cough (containing pseudoephedrine) - 7150108

-- PEDIACARE® Infant Dropper Decongestant (containing phenylephrine) - 6003600

-- PEDIACARE® Infant Dropper Long-Acting Cough - 7527808

-- PEDIACARE® Infant Dropper Decongestant & Cough (containing phenylephrine) - 6003400

-- Robitussin® Infant Cough DM Drops - 3-0031-8681-01-5

-- Triaminic® Infant & Toddler Thin Strips® Decongestant - 3-0043-0318-16-5

-- Triaminic® Infant & Toddler Thin Strips® Decongestant Plus Cough - 3-0043-0319-16-2

-- TYLENOL® Concentrated Infants' Drops Plus Cold - 3931500

-- TYLENOL® Concentrated Infants' Drops Plus Cold & Cough - 3921500

About the American Pharmacists Association (APhA)

The American Pharmacists Association, founded in 1852 as the American Pharmaceutical Association, represents more than 60,000 practicing pharmacists, pharmaceutical scientists, student pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and others interested in advancing the profession. APhA, dedicated to helping all pharmacists improve medication use and advance patient care, is the first-established and largest association of pharmacists in the United States. APhA members provide care in all practice settings, including community pharmacies, hospitals, long-term care facilities, managed care organizations, hospice settings, and the military.

http://www.pharmacist.com

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