By The Hindu Bureau
Copyright thehindu
The Health department has released new technical guidelines on the treatment of cough in children and the rational use of cough medicines.
New guidelines were brought out following the recent incidents in which cough medicines resulted in the death of young children in other States and the Centre’s directive that cough medicines should not be prescribed for children below two years of age.
The comprehensive guidelines, meant for doctors, health care workers, pharmacists and the general public, have been drawn up on the basis of the report submitted by the three-member committee which had been appointed by the Health department to study the manner in which cough and cold illnesses were being managed in children.
The guidelines
The technical guidelines clearly forbid parents and caregivers from self-medicating children. Medicines for children must be prescribed by registered medical practitioners on the basis of the child’s age and weight.
Dosages of drugs should never be increased arbitrarily. Some medicines, if used inappropriately, can cause serious health complications, it is warned.
All cough syrups distributed through health centres must have complied with proper manufacturing standards and be free from harmful contaminants such as Diethylene Glycol (DEG) and Ethylene Glycol (EG).
The guidelines reiterate that cough syrups should not be given to children below two years of age and if at all it is necessary, should be after careful evaluation.
For children aged 2–5 years also, cough syrups should generally be avoided and if necessary, must be after clinical evaluation and under special monitoring.
For children above five years, cough syrups may be used only after specific evaluation and in small doses for short duration.
Adhering directives
Pharmacists must strictly follow the directives issued by the Drugs Controller and exercise special care while dispensing medicines for children. They must ensure that the medicine is not past expiry date and is procured only from manufacturers with quality certification.
The general public should avoid self-medicating children and they should desist from requesting cough syrups or formulations of their choice from pharmacists. Cough medicines for children should have been prescribed by a paediatrician and should be used as per his/her instructions.
They should not use old prescriptions or leftover medicines and drugs prescribed for one child should not be repeated for another child without consulting a paediatrician.
If a child who has cough develops chest pain or breathing difficulty, spits blood or has excessive fatigue, seizures, cyanosis, or altered consciousness, a paediatrician should be consulted without delay. Medicines prescribed by doctors should always be taken only in the prescribed dose and for the prescribed duration.