NZ Products Already Meet Proposed Guidelines

Media Statement March 2, 2009

Lemsip Products In New Zealand Already Meet Proposed Guidelines

Reckitt Benckiser, the manufacturer of Lemsip, is aware of media coverage in New Zealand of a call by a British health authority for warnings labels on over-the-counter cough, cold and flu medicines to ensure they are not given to children under 6 years of age and are only given to children 6-12 years on medical advice.

Reckitt Benckiser wishes to make it clear that:
• All Lemsip hot drink and capsule medications sold in New Zealand carry the warning: “Do not give to children 12 years and under”; and
• All medicinal products meet the legal registration requirements as prescribed by the Medicines Act and Regulations in New Zealand.

Reckitt Benckiser says that the four Lemsip products listed in the NZ Herald as being on a ‘warning list’ are not correctly represented because, as per British Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) media information, their UK labels already only have dosages for children 6 years and over.

“As highlighted, in New Zealand the labels of these products state: ‘Do not give to children under 12 years of age’.”

Reckitt Benckiser says in New Zealand there are only two Lemsip products recommended for use with young children – Lemsip Dry Cough Liquid and Lemsip Chesty Cough Liquid.

Lemsip Dry Cough Liquid is approved for use in young children under 6 years of age, and it can continue to be used in this age group as already recommended by MHRA.

The labelling for Lemsip Chesty Cough Medicine has just been revised following a notice from the NZ Ministry of Health requiring it to carry the warning: “Must not be used in children under 2 years of age”. The British authority is now recommending that such products not be given to children under 6 years, and Reckitt Benckiser understands that Medsafe has indicated today that it will look again at the age limits for this type of product.

Reckitt Benckiser takes the health and welfare of consumers very seriously, and would like to reiterate that care should always be taken when using OTC medicines.

“All medicines have risks as well as benefits so it is important to read the pack labelling carefully. The directions for use clearly state the dose for each age group that can take it. They also list the conditions each product is suitable to treat, the cautions for use, and when it should not be taken. If in any doubt, consumers should ask a pharmacist or their doctor whether the product is suitable for them.”

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