U.S. to review safety of cough medicine ingredient

Health regulators are concerned about the potential for people to abuse a key ingredient in many cough suppressant medications, calling for a public meeting in September to weigh the issue.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on Monday it would call on a panel of outside advisers to look at the potential risks and benefits of the drug dextromethorphan, used in cough medicines made by Pfizer Inc and Procter & Gamble Co, among others.

Cough medicines have been under FDA scrutiny for the last few years, especially their use in children. The agency has said they should not be used in children 2 and younger, while manufacturers have urged against their use in children under 4.

The FDA posted the notice on its website at http://www.federalregister.gov/OFRUpload/OFRData/2010-10384_PI.pdf

Representatives for Pfizer and Procter & Gamble could not be immediately reached for comment.

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WASHINGTON (Reuters)