Children's cough syrups banned

DRUGS watchdog Agence Française de Sécurité Sanitaire des Produits de Santé (Afssaps) has warned about the use of some over-the-counter children’s cough syrups because they do not work and carry a risk of causing convulsions and breathing problems.

The medicines – mainly for night-time coughs – include fenspiride products such as Pneumorel, Toplexil, Calmixene and all products containing oxomemazine. They are not advised for use with under-twos and, although they are still in pharmacies, will not be resupplied.

Other cough medicines, such as Broncalène nourrissons and Hexapneumine nourrissons are being withdrawn from the market.

Afssaps said the medicines risked making breathing problems worse and had known side-effects, such as convulsions and distress.

Meanwhile, the ban on sales of giant jigsaw puzzle foam rugs has been extended to July 15 for further tests.

The consumer protection watchdog DGCCRF said that the foam in the Chinese-made rugs contained formamid, which is a carcinogen and causes harm to the reproductive system, as well as eye, nose, throat and skin irritation.