FDA: No More Cold Meds for Young Children

An FDA advisory panel voted Friday against the use of cough and cold medications for children under the age of 6.

The decision was made after the panel found no evidence that the drugs work and "plenty" of evidence that they can cause serious harm. It was a 13-9 vote, with some panelists objecting to a move that would deprive parents of medicine they rely on to treat their children with colds and coughs. About $30 million a year is spent on these drugs.

The story updated through October 20 is available online from the Washington Post.