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(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- More than 500 deaths each year are linked to children's cough and cold medicine.
Before this research was done, it was believed only three or four deaths were associated with such medication, Jeffrey L. Chamberlain, M.D., a family doctor and co-founder of Honey Don't Cough, in Grand Rapids, Mich.
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"Deaths have been drastically underreported because when a child gets sick and dies, doctors assume that the death was solely related to the illness itself," Dr. Chamberlain was quoted as saying. "Typically, no one thinks to check for toxic medications that could have contributed to the death."
Because of startling information like this, doctors are calling for government intervention but, according them, the FDA has been slow to respond. It is currently undertaking a multi-year review of these medications. Although its own committee has recommended discontinuing the use of such medications in children under six years old, the FDA has refused to make a formal decision right now.
SOURCE: Pediatrics, 2008;122(6):1413
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