Following the MHRA's updated advice on the use of cough and cold medicines for young children, the NPA advocates taking advice from your local pharmacist on every aspect of your medicines - and at every age - to help ensure that you use them both safely and effectively.

Medicines that are available to buy are safe if used correctly but there are some risks if they are not. Your local pharmacist can offer you a free personalised consultation that is highly convenient and easily accessible - there is likely to be one near work or home and they are usually open 6 days a week and sometimes late in the evening. The NPA recommends that every member of the public takes advantage of that service, particularly before using any medicine for the first time.

Cough and cold medicines may contain more than one active ingredient and different brands may contain the same active ingredients. These are listed on the medicine packaging. Parents should not give a child more than one cough and cold medicine, as they may contain the same active ingredient(s) and the maximum recommended dose(s) for the drug(s) may be exceeded.

The medicine should be administered carefully using the spoon or measuring device supplied to ensure the child does not receive more than the maximum dose.

Particular care should be taken before giving medicines to children under 2. Whenever possible, ask your pharmacist for advice.

Colette McCreedy, NPA Director of Practice, says: "If the MHRA announcement gives you any cause for concern or raises any doubts about whether you are using medicines correctly and safely, ask your pharmacist, you'll be getting good advice."

The MHRA advice and press release can be viewed at:

mhra/index.htm

mhra