Children’s Medication Not being Measured Correctly

By Tyler Woods, Ph.D.

A new report from the American Medical Association is reporting that over-the-counter (OTC) liquid children's medicines could be potentially dangerous. The danger is not found in the medication but in the devices used to measure the medication. 

The study which was completed by H. Shonna Yin, MD, MS, of the New York University School of Medicine discovered that children’s medications are not being measured correctly and over 98 percent of the 200 popular OTC children's liquid medicines had dosing directions that did not match the markings on the measuring cup or syringe that came with the package. 

In November of 2009 the FDA released new voluntary guidelines to industry groups responsible for over-the-counter (OTC) liquid medications, particularly those intended for use by children. The FDA stated that “Too many people suffer unnecessary injuries from avoidable medication misuse, errors and other problems. The FDA is launching the Safe Use Initiative to develop targeted solutions for reducing these injuries." 

"One of our concerns is that because so many products are implicated, a voluntary guideline may not be a strong enough step," Yin told a news source. "It is great that the FDA recognize that these are important issues, but I am not sure that the voluntary guidelines will be able to fix such a big problem." 

In order for children’s medication to be measured correctly, the FDA has  recommendations that include; (1) all OTC liquid drug products should include a measuring device, (2) a given product's device and directions should use the same abbreviations and units of measurement, (3) devices should bear only necessary markings and should not hold significantly more than the largest dose described, (4) abbreviations should conform to standards and should be defined, (5) decimals or fractions should be used with care, and (6) studies should be done to confirm accurate use by consumers. 

Despite the FDA's recommendations, one in four of these medications

“Our findings document that high levels of variability and inconsistency currently exist within medication labeling and measuring devices of OTC products,” the researchers wrote. 

Researchers realize that children’s medications are not being measured correctly and there is a need for more research to sufficiently deal with the best practices under the FDA guidelines. Researchers also more attention is needed for the proper evaluation of product packaging and safe medication usage.

Source:

Yin HS et a. JAMA 2010; 304(23): doi: 10.1001/jama.2010.1797

Dr Cutler http://www.drcutler.com/general-health/children-may-be-taking-dangerous-levels-of-medicine-800267680/