Manufacturers withdraw cold medications

Last week we told you about an important warning to not give young children over the counter cough and cold medications. Thursday manufacturers announced they’ll voluntarily withdraw some products marketed to infants and toddlers.

The voluntary recall affects cold and cough medicines marketed for children two and under. These popular brands are being pulled off store shelves just in time for cold season.

The move does not come as a complete surprise.

ABC News Medical Director Dr. Tim Johnson said, “To be blunt, I think they’re doing it because they’re facing FDA advisory hearings on October 18 and 19.”

Hearings in which the FDA will consider banning the infant medicines.

Doctors have long argued they are not safe — and a government review linked multiple deaths to the over-the- counter medications — often because of overdose.

What’s more, pediatricians say they’ve never been proven effective.

Pediatrician Dr. Paul Fleiss said, “I think they present a danger to the population. People can’t figure the dose properly and there’s really no need for them.”

A spokesperson for the drug makers says the recall is being done out of an abundance of caution. The FDA called it an important step in protecting infants’ health.