Systematic review of randomised controlled trials of over the counter cough medicines for acute cough in adults

I am sorry that I am thought to be cynical, and embarassed that I am
identified as being high up in the NHS executive! In fact I am a research
fellow funded by the NHS executive, and I hope that, after 10 years as a
GP, I am realistic rather than cynical. I plead quilty to misreading the
article in question as relating to children as well as adults, and I
rarely write a prescription for any anti-tussive. However I hope my point
remains valid.

I simply believe that there is more to decisions about
whether or not to advise self-medication (or to decisions about what to
prescribe) than the available evidence of clinical efficacy, useful though
that is. Parents consult us partly in order to have their fears allayed,
and validating their caring by offering a suggestion for self-medication
has a useful part to play in this process.The clinical effectiveness of
that self-medication is only a small part of the picture when viewed from
a practice perspective.

Kath Checkland