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Board re-refers ordinance to require point-of-sale warnings on children’s cold medicines after expert testimony and recent FDA advisory
Summary
Supervisors voted to re-refer to committee a proposed health-code ordinance that would require point-of-sale warnings on cough and cold medicines intended for infants and young children after medical experts and board members discussed recent industry recalls and an FDA panel recommendation.
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors on Oct. 23 re-referred to committee a proposed ordinance that would require businesses in the city to post point-of-sale warnings on cough and cold medicines intended for use in infants and children younger than 2 years (the ordinance text discussed at the meeting also referenced an expanded version for children under 6).
Supervisor Sophie Alioto-Pier presented the legislation, saying the item had been before the City Operations and Neighborhood Services Committee and noting recent developments: several manufacturers of infant cold and cough medicines had voluntarily pulled products from shelves nationwide the morning of the committee hearing, and an FDA advisory panel recommended against use of many cold and cough products in children under age 6 because they have not been proven safe and effective.
Dr. Philip Ziering, identified at the meeting as the medical director of the Child Health and Disability Prevention Program, testified for the record. He described long-standing pediatric concerns about the use of medications developed for adults being used in young children without adequate testing and said he supported limiting access and warnings for medicines potentially hazardous to children.
Following the presentation and Dr. Ziering’s remarks, Supervisors moved to re-refer the item to committee for further drafting and to consider possible amendments, including potentially expanding the warning to children under 6. The motion to re-refer was made on the floor, seconded, and taken without objection.
Why it matters: The item responds to new national-level safety guidance and industry decisions and seeks a local policy requiring consumer warnings at the point of sale. Re-referral gives the board and health staff time to align local warning language with federal developments and to consider the scope (under-2 vs. under-6 warnings) and enforcement language.
Speakers (relevant): - Supervisor Sophie Alioto-Pier (introduced the ordinance, requested committee action). - Dr. Philip Ziering (medical director, Child Health and Disability Prevention Program), testifying as a pediatric expert. - Supervisor Ellsburn (moved to re-refer the item to committee; seconded by Supervisor Elsburn or colleague as recorded).
Authorities referenced: the item was drafted as an amendment to the San Francisco Health Code and was discussed in light of an FDA advisory panel recommendation regarding cold and cough medicines for young children (panel recommended against use in children under 6 for many products).
Action taken: The board re-referred the proposed health-code ordinance on point-of-sale warnings for cough and cold medicines to committee for amendment and further consideration (motion adopted without objection).
Clarifying details: the draft discussed at the meeting referenced warnings targeted at children under age 2; later discussion and the FDA panel referenced under-6 guidance, and supervisors asked staff to bring an amended draft back to committee addressing both the public-health evidence and feasible point-of-sale language.
Provenance: discussion and testimony for this item appear in the Oct. 23 transcript around timecodes 830–1,100 (afternoon calendar), including Dr. Ziering’s remarks and the board’s motion to re-refer.
