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ALLEGAN, Mich. — Perrigo Co. is slated to change the dosing device for certain pediatric suspension pain relievers from a dropper to a new syringe dosing system designed to help consumers more accurately dispense the proper amount of medication.
The company, the world’s largest maker of store-brand over-the-counter medicines, said Thursday that it will also be labeling its dye-free infant and children’s liquid medicines as high-fructose corn syrup-free.
Perrigo reported that the product changes will occur this summer when the company and other manufacturers move to a single concentration (160 mg/5 ml) for all single-ingredient OTC pediatric liquid acetaminophen products. At that time, Perrigo’s new infant acetaminophen formulas will contain the same amount of active ingredient (per ml) as the current children’s pain relief formulas on the market.
The Consumer Healthcare Products Association announced the industry’s transition for pediatric liquid acetaminophen products this week.
Based on a January 2011 survey of 400 pediatricians, Perrigo found that doctors support this improvement. Over 80% of pediatricians polled thought that the active ingredient concentration of infant and children’s acetaminophen OTC liquid pain reliever/fever reducers should be the same, the company said. Most of the pediatricians also support the move from a dropper to a syringe dosing system, mainly because they felt the syringe was more accurate, safe and hygienic.
Perrigo added that it plans to conduct an extensive pediatrician outreach program to educate doctors about the medication dosage changes.
Also, Perrigo said it recently conducted research with parents about pediatric OTC remedies for pain and reduce fever. More than half of the 600 mothers surveyed indicated a preference for children’s medications without high-fructose corn syrup. In response, Perrigo said it will begin labeling their dye-free formulas as "high-fructose corn syrup-free." And as part of an earlier initiative, all of Perrigo’s infant acetaminophen products will be available with "gluten-free" labeling.
"At Perrigo, we pride ourselves in bringing meaningful improvements to market, while continuing to deliver the highest quality and the best value to consumers," Perrigo chairman and chief executive officer Joseph Papa said in a statement.
