E-DRUG: Need for cough mixtures (contd.)
----------------------------------------
- Is it worse to have a placebo cough syrup or nothing at all
with the risk of misuse of e.g. salbutamol syrup by health
workers?
A simple cough mixture should be available in a country,
preferably without 'active' ingredient, since there are no cough
active substances and cough is a usefull symptom of an underlying
disease.
In case of persistant cough a doctor can always prescribe codeine, which is cheap and effectve, without much side effects up to a
dosage of 15 mgm.
- What formulation would be the 'best' placebo cough syrup?
Thymian syrup or a mixture of liquorice and thymian syrup. It
just makes the throat smoother.
- What experiences are available in trying to reduce the demand
for cough syrup among patients, and have they managed to avoid > alternative misuse?
Counselling works well in the Netherlands.