After its review of the popular over-the-counter cough and cold medicines, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) arrived at the conclusion that there was “no robust evidence that these medicines work” in children below 12 years of age.

In fact, the agency’s new guidance said that the accepted medications - like Lemsip powders, Day Nurse and Sudafed – may not be much effective for children, and can cause some not so hazardous side-effects including allergic reactions, sleep disturbance, and hallucinations.

Suggesting eight cough mixtures for use in children below 6 years, the MHRA ruled against 36 medicines for children of this age group. It also called upon drug manufacturers to publish clearer dosage advice on the packets of medicines for children between 6 and 12 years.

However, the agency emphasized that there were no particular safety concerns with the medicines that had been scrutinized; and, as such, parents could still administer the requisite doses to their children over the age of six, in case they were convinced of the benefits.

The MHRA made it clear that there was no urgency asking the shop shelves to clear current stocks. Dr June Raine from the MHRA said: “What we’ve found is no major safety problem but a lack of evidence that these products actually do anything much to help a child!”