NZ cough reclassification
July 26, 2010
NEW Zealand’s Medsafe
medicines regulator has reclassified
cough and cold medicines
containing dextromethorphan and
phenylephrine as pharmacy-only as
pharmacy-only for children under
12 years of age.
The move is effective from May
2011, with Medsafe saying
products containing the ingredients
will only be available in supermarkets
if they are relabelled for use in
adults and children over 12.
Medsafe is also considering a
similar move for medications
containing ipecacuanha, but has
received an appeal against the
rescheduling so hasn’t announced
a change for these products while
the appeal is considered.
Products containing guaifenesin
are not affected by the changes.
Medsafe spokesman Stewart
Jessamine said the reclassifications
means that parents “will be able to
get professional advice on how to
use these medicines safely before
buying them for their children.”
He said the move is in line with
changes being made or under
consideration in other countries
such as Australia and the UK.
“If a parent is unsure of the best
way to treat their child, they should
seek advice from their general
practitioner or a healthcare
professional,” Jessamine said.
“I would advise parents not to use
over-the-counter cough and cold
medicines for children under six
years of age,” he said.
The Pharmacy Guild of New
Zealand this morning welcomed
the reclassification, with president
Ian Johnson saying “it is vital cough
and cold products are not just
picked off a supermarket shelf and
given to a child”.
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