In Brief: CHPA Disagrees With FDA Warning; Adulterated Supplements Enforcement; DASCA Support Sought

The Consumer Healthcare Products Association disagrees with a consumer update that FDA issued June 26 that suggests topical pain relievers and medications that are rubbed on the gums to relieve teething pain are not necessary or useful because they wash out of children’s mouths within minutes. The announcement does a “disservice to parents and caregivers who use FDA-approved OTC gel and liquid medicines containing benzocaine to treat their children’s suffering from teething pain,” the trade group said. The consumer alert directs caregivers not to use local anesthetics such as Rx viscous lidocaine or OTC benzocaine-containing products except under the advice and supervision of a health care provider.

The agency said in the alert that it ordered a black box warning added to Rx oral viscous lidocaine 2% solution because the ingredient can cause seizures, brain injury and heart problems, according to the alert. The decision followed a review of 22 serious adverse event reports in young children who accidently ingested the Rx drug after it was administered for mouth pain