Makers of OTC Cough Medicines Reaffirm Efficacy o...( Cochrane report provides no eleme...),Health

Cochrane report provides no elements of new data

WASHINGTON, Jan. 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, the international Cochrane Collaboration released a review of existing data on the efficacy of oral over-the-counter (OTC) cough medicines in children and adults. While this review includes a limited number of OTC medicines available in the U.S., the majority of studies show statistically significant improvement in adult populations.

The Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA), representing the leading makers of OTC cough medicine in the U.S., stands behind the efficacy of these medicines, citing a number of well-designed clinical studies showing that acute cough sufferers receive beneficial relief from these medicines. "Consumers should continue to remain confident that their OTC cough remedies provide the same symptomatic relief as in past cold seasons," explained Heinz Schneider, Dr. Med., CHPA's vice president, Regulatory & Scientific Affairs. "As the authors of this review indicate, common cold research is challenging--especially in younger populations. CHPA has presented positive efficacy data in adults to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and has already begun to work with experts and FDA on methodologies for further research on the effects of medicines on common cold symptoms in children."

Additionally, as Dr. Schneider notes, consumers report finding relief through OTC cough remedies, "According to a recent survey, 89% of adults, parents and caregivers say the OTC cough remedies they used effectively helped them or the child in their household cough less. And, more than three-quarters of adults, parents, and caregivers also indicate that OTC cough remedies helped them and the child both function and sleep better."

Editor's Note: Frequently Asked Questions on cough medicine are available at http://www.c
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