Pharmacists' attitudes towards pediatric cough and cold products and behind the counter status

• Published in: The journal of pediatric pharmacology and therapeutics Vol. 15; no. 2; pp. 126 - 137
• Main Authors: Huston, Sally A, Porter, Kalen B, Clements, Tom, Shepherd, Greene
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Pediatric Pharmacy Advocacy Group 01.04.2010
• Subjects: Clinical Investigation
• ISSN: 1551-6776
• DOI: 10.5863/1551-6776-15.2.126

Safety and efficacy issues regarding over-the-counter cough and cold (CAC) products for use in children have surfaced. Late in 2007 the FDA began reviewing CAC product status for use in children under 6 years old. In regards to CAC products for children < 6 years old, to determine pharmacists: 1) comfort level in recommending; 2) attitudes towards behind-the-counter (BTC) status; and 3) level of support for BTC status. An additional objective was to determine how frequently pharmacists were asked for CAC product recommendations for children Georgia Pharmacy Association members (2,045) were invited to anonymously participate in a self-administered online survey from January 3 - Feb 6, 2008. Topic areas included demographics, comfort in recommending CAC, and BTC status. Most responding pharmacists (99.1%) feel pediatric CAC medicine safety problems are due to inappropriate use. More than 50% of chain and independent pharmacists were asked to recommend CAC medicines for children during cold/flu season once a day or less, and 79% reported counseling on less than 50% of total CAC sales. The majority of pharmacists felt comfortable recommending CAC medications when thinking of both safety and efficacy. Most pharmacists supported a BTC condition of sale for children under two for decongestants, antihistamines, and antitussives, and for decongestants and antitussives for children between 2 and 5 years old. Most pharmacists indicate comfort in recommending CAC despite lack of evidence for safety or efficacy and support BTC status. Pharmacist education on this topic would be useful.