Parents reassured re paracetamol use for children

June 28, 2010
MEDIA STATEMENT

Parents reassured re paracetamol use for children

The New Zealand Self Medication Industry (NZSMI), the industry body representing non-prescription consumer healthcare products, has today moved to reassure parents about the positive safety profile of paracetamol as a painkiller.

“Heiko Petersen, president of the NZSMI, says paracetamol has a very long history of safe use in children when used as directed.

“It is certainly very sad to hear in the media today that two small children became seriously ill following an overdose of paracetamol. The issue here, however, is that these cases relate to an overdose. We don’t know by how much the recommended dosage was exceeded or under what circumstances the children took the medication.

“These medicines are clinically trialled and very safe if used according to the label. Medsafe has strict regulations around the packaging and labelling of painkillers and our members fully observe these requirements.1”

Paracetamol has been available for more than 50 years in New Zealand and the vast majority of children using it as directed experience no undesirable effects. Paracetamol remains an effective and safe option for the first line treatment of pain and fever in children. Liquid paracetamol products intended for children are only available from a pharmacy.

Mr Petersen says NZSMI will continue to work with Medsafe on the safe use of over-the-counter (OTC) products.

“We support any education initiatives by government to improve the safe use of OTC medicines by the public, pharmacists and GPs. People should only take OTC medicines as directed on the pack and they should store them out of reach of children.”

Ends

1.These requirements are clearly described in Section 4.10 Part D of the New Zealand Regulatory Guidelines for Medicines

About SMI: The New Zealand Self-Medication Industry Association Inc (SMI) is the national trade association representing manufacturers, marketers and distributors of a wide range of products, generally available "over-the-counter" (OTC) and mainly for use in self-medication by New Zealand consumers. SMI’s mission is to promote better health through responsible self-care. This means ensuring that safe and effective self-care products are readily available to all New Zealanders at a reasonable cost. SMI works to encourage responsible use by consumers and an increasing role for cost-effective self-medication products as part of the broad national health strategy.

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