FDA Embraces Harm Reduction…Sort of
Check out this interesting logic from the FDA:
WASHINGTON - A top government health official rejected the idea of an immediate ban on cough and cold medicines for young children, saying it might cause unintended harm.Food and Drug Administration officials at a public hearing Thursday said they need to gather more data on whether over-the-counter remedies are safe and effective for children ages 2 to 6.
The FDA is also worried that a ban — as sought by leading pediatricians' groups — might only drive parents to give adult medicines to their youngsters. [MSNBC]
Well, that sounds like a logical concern. People tend to make safer choices when available and more dangerous ones when their options are restricted. Yet federal law still blocks funding for needle exchange and criminalizes people who use marijuana as an alternative to powerful opioid-based pharmaceuticals.
{Thanks, Caryn]
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redditFDA 'still' needs to gather data?
Comment posted by Anonymous on Wed, 10/08/2008 - 7:58am"Food and Drug Administration officials at a public hearing Thursday said they need to gather more data on whether over-the-counter remedies are safe and effective for children ages 2 to 6."
It certainly seems to me the FDA should have already been just a little bit onto this kind of information before approving OTC remedies for childrens' use. Sounds a lot like, "We'll get back to you, later." (wink, wink)
The Officials name was....
Comment posted by Anonymous on Tue, 10/07/2008 - 12:18amThe health official is either very dense or the FDA has a reason for not wanting to cause any financial problems for the multi-billion dollar Pharmaceutical Companies.