Key findings
The fourth Australian Child Health Poll has found Australian parents are spending millions of dollars a year on cough and cold medicines that could harm young children.
In fact, parents are spending an estimated $67 million annually on cough and cold medicines for children aged under 15-years.
And a third of children aged under six-years receive over-the-counter cough and cold medicines, a product group that the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) warns could harm children of this age.
Director of the poll, paediatrician Dr Anthea Rhodes said: “We all struggle to cope with our kids’ coughs and colds over winter, but for young children these medicines are known to be ineffective, and in some cases potentially harmful.
“What’s particularly disturbing is that among parents who are giving these products to their young children, 74 per cent do so on the advice of a pharmacist, and 64 per cent on the advice of a doctor.”
The poll reveals that cough and cold formulas are not the only non-prescribed treatment being used to treat children across Australia despite a lack of supporting evidence.
“We were surprised to learn that, nationally, we’re spending an estimated $74 million a year on vitamins and supplements for children aged less than 15-years.
“About half of all children and teenagers are receiving these supplements, even though there are no proven health benefits where diet is normal and there is no established nutritional deficiency.
“For example, among this group, three out of four parents are giving their children vitamins to boost their immune system even though there is no clear evidence that these products can have that effect.”
Other key findings from the fourth Australian Child Health Poll include:
- 82 per cent of children have received an over-the-counter medicine in the past 12 months and 65 per cent have received more than one type of medicine
- A substantial proportion of parents give their children paracetamol or ibuprofen to treat cough (27 per cent) or induce sleep (10 per cent), for which there is no evidence of effectiveness
- One in seven parents use over-the-counter medicines to aid sleep or relax their children for travel, such as on flights or car trips.
Poll report
Over-the-counter medicines: What parents use and why
Download report
Poll questions
Poll questions coming soon.
In the meantime, you can email child.healthpoll@rch.org.au
In the news
Huffington Post Australia
Third of Aussie kids take potentially harmful cough medicine
TEN Eyewitness News
Warning for parents: you’re wasting millions on medicine that could be harming your kids
ABC News
Growing number of parents dispensing potentially harmful cough medicine to young children: study
The Age
Parents ignore warnings and give children under six cough and cold drugs
The Herald Sun
A third of young Australian children are being given medications by their parents which will not help
Kinderling
Avoiding unhelpful over-the-counter medication for kids
Information for parents
Medicines and children
Cough and cold medicines
Vitamins and supplements
Pain medicines
Travelling with children
Healthy eating
Sleep tips for kids
