Sales of over-the-counter cold remedies for children have fallen sharply since a federal panel concluded they should not be used for children younger than 6 years because of a dearth of evidence that they work and concerns they can be dangerous.

Even though the winter has begun, sales of the products, which have been rising steadily for years, dropped more than 16 per cent in the four weeks that ended on November 3, compared both with the previous four-week period and with the same period last year, according to the first estimates since the panel’s October 19 pronouncement. “Historically, sales of these products are on an upswing at this time of year,” said Jennifer Frighetto of ACNielsen, a market research firm that tracks the sales. “Based on the historical sales, one would have expected to see an increase, not a decrease.”

Americans spent $ 21.1 million on the medications during the four weeks, the most recent period for which data are available, down from a little more than $ 25.3 million during the previous four weeks, the firm reported.

“This is good news,” said Baltimore Health Commissioner Joshua Sharfstein, who is leading the drive to get the Food and Drug Administration to restrict use of the products. “This is a plus for child health. Fewer parents are giving unproven and potentially unsafe drugs to their children.”

The pharmaceutical industry, however, maintains that the remedies are safe and effective. “It’s premature to make the connection that a drop in sales is directly the result,” said Elizabeth Funderburk of the Consumer Healthcare Products Association.

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