The FDA recently rejected pediatricians’ calls for the immediate ban on over the counter cold medicine for kids aging between 2 and 6. Pediatricians believe that the medicine only does unwanted harm to the children, filling up emergency rooms while a great treatment for colds is rest and a lot of fluids. Some are concerned that the result of a ban on such medication will only give parents the opportunity to treat their children with adult medication and that would certainly fill up emergency rooms in hospitals as a new cold season is coming.

The problem with this over the counter medicine is that there is little scientific evidence proving or disproving their effectiveness. Even the FDA declared that the lack of scientific proof concerning this medication makes them uncomfortable. The companies that make the cough syrups and cold medicine state that their products are perfectly safe for children between the ages of 2 and 6.

The FDA doesn’t see a public health emergency in this case but they agree that there is no consistent proof that the medicine does indeed work. The risks of a treatment with no effects will always exceed its benefits. The main problem here is the lack of evidence and this is what drives the FDA when taking any decision: cold scientific fact.

Also, the medicines have been in use for decades, say drug companies and are safe for children over 2. The over the counter cold medicine for children is a very profitable business, U.S families spending almost $286 million on such medication. Manufacturers plan new studies concerning the main ingredients found in their medicine, hoping this will shed some light on the controversy.