Cold medicine via perscription, has that come in yet??

[Beatrix]

can anyone tell me what this includes and if it has come in yet??

My DD has a cold and a cough and would like to help her but i will really find it hard to get to a dr to get a script.

i normally use dimetapp, is that one of the ones that you need to get a script for?

[Mother Goose]

It doesn't come into effect until September 1st. However, my experience is that most pharmacists are reluctant to sell it at the moment without talking to you first and explaining risks etc and so keep it behind the counter with other pharmacist meds (like sudafed). My friend had one pharmacist refuse to sell it to her because they didn't think her son would benefit. Pop into your local pharmacy and ask for it and see what they say. But at the moment, you are still able to purchase it without a prescription.

HTH

MG

[Ozziehoffy]

Yep, as MG said... it's up to the pharmacist if they want to sell it without prescription.

[MantaRay]

Which DD is it? The script thing is only for the infant ones - for under 2s.

[Lukesmum]

I just bought some dimetapp this morning and the pharmacist said that it starts Sep 1st and is only for the under 2 year old one. I find it hard to get to the dr too for a script so I got a bottle for when I need it.

[ShootingStar]

DH bought some Demazin for DS last week and didnt have any hassels getting it. They just gave it to him over the counter.

[STARRYSKY]

I am a pharmacy assistant in SA and as far as I am aware that ruling is already effective!
no medication for under 2's without prescription, eg, dimetapp drops, demazin drops, promethazine liquids etc.
not sure but wouldnt be surprised if some pharmacies are now just trying to get rid of stock!
It is rather annoying considering the wait on appointments at docs is atrocious these days, but I guess the med ass just wants to be safe not sorry.

[sweetpea678]

I brought some dimetap the other week without any problems, i was asked if had used it before said yes and they were fine.

That will be hard when they bring it in as it sometimes takes me over a week to get into a doctor here.

[Janie]

I was sold some Demazin for my DS a month ago, and when I told another pharmacist a few days later he was quite outraged, and seemed to think that it shouldn't have been given to me. I didn't ask for it specifically, the pharmacist just gave it to me. I rang the first pharmacy to let them know, as TBH, I was a bit annoyed to be given something that I shouldn't have. The guy I spoke to owns the pharmacy and was similarly upset, that one of his staff members was not clear on the guidelines. He said he would speak to all of his staff to make sure they were clear that it couldn't be given to under 2s without a script.

To me that sounds like the ruling is already effective? Though I'm not sure.

[~Trish~]

My pharmacist wouldn't sell it to me without a script so I had to go to the GP, so annoying!

I was told that once they sell out of Demazin and Dimetapp they won't be making any more. They are voluntarily recalling it. What are we meant to do with our sick bubs???

[STARRYSKY]

The only things we (pharmacy assistants) are allowed to recommend is saline drops and aspirators (yuck!!) steam (as in showers\ vaporisers etc) or paracetamol.
The ruling is supposed to stop the over abuse of these products in under 2s and because studies have shown that the active ingredients can/may cause adverse respiratory reactions in under 2s.
I know that most of us here would not belong to this (small) group of people who dont know what they are doing with these medications, but in the 8 years I have worked in pharmacy I have heard some astounding things from customers in the way that some of these things are used, even paracetamol. I swear some people just dont read directions or listen to what they are advised to do.
like I said before, the medical associaton would rather be safe than sorry.
not that ots much help when its 8pm at night bub is sick and chemist is closing in an hour, docs already shut and theres not a lot one can do for their sick, screaming child.

p.s
please dont take it out on the pharmacy assistants, I have already copped a bit from angry, sleep deprived mothers! but I do understand how annoying it is.

edit- trish- you are right, they wont be making any more, they may reformulate it or something though, is so unprofessional but like I also said before I am sure some pharmacies are just trying to sell what stock they have through.