Health Canada is advising consumers of the outcome of its review of cough and cold medicines for children under the age of 12. Health Canada is requiring manufacturers to relabel over-the-counter cough and cold medicines that have dosing information for children to indicate that these medicines should not be used in children under six.

The relabelling of these medicines will be completed by fall 2009, in time for the next cough and cold season. Until the relabelling of these products is completed, Health Canada advises parents and caregivers to consult a pharmacist or a health care practitioner when buying or using these products. These medicines can still be used in children 6 and older, and adults.

For more information see the Health Canada website:  http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/medeff/res/cough-toux-eng.php