Pharmacists have expressed their doubts over claims that paracetamol increases the risk of asthma in children and warned that that the sector may need to reassure worried parents.  

A study reported in the UK mainstream media last week, found that the drug was associated with a "significant increase" in asthma symptoms. Published in the European Journal of Public Health last month (August 4), it involved 20,743 children and revealed that six to seven-year-olds who had taken paracetamol in the previous year were five times more likely to have asthma symptoms than those who had never taken it.  

However, Aston University pharmacy lecturer Joseph Bush told C+D last week (September 19) that the study did not prove that paracetamol caused asthma. 

Joseph Bush, pharmacy lecturer at Aston University, said that the study did not prove paracetamol caused asthma	More on asthma Four out of five UK asthma patients not using       pharmacy expertise, study reveals PSNC's vision for pharmacy faces opposition Pharmacy scheme saves more than 170,000       inhalers from landfill
	Mike Hewitson, owner of Beaminster Pharmacy, Dorset, agreed and argued that patients who had asthma were more likely to be given paracetamol to alleviate the symptoms. The findings were also based on self-diagnoses of asthma and self-reported use of paracetamol, which could vary depending on the patient, he told C+D.

"This paper tells us nothing. The main thing for pharmacists is that they understand the limitations of the study, which patients and the press might refer to," he said. "Paracetamol remains the safest OTC analgesic and has widespread evidence of effectiveness."  

NPA head of pharmacy services Leyla Hannbeck, warned that pharmacists would need to reassure patients who were alarmed by newspaper headlines on the study. The Daily Mail reported that children who were given Calpol were more likely to develop asthma.  

"These studies reinforce the importance of pharmacy advice given at the point of sale of paracetamol-based products like Calpol," said Ms Hannbeck.

Calpol manufacturer Johnson & Johnson said the study suggested an association but had not demonstrated that paracetamol caused asthma. Customers with medical concerns or questions should consult their pharmacist or doctor, it said.

NHS Choices published a statement on its website last Monday (September 16) arguing that a definite link between paracetamol use and asthma could not be proved and advising that the drug should only be used in children if needed. Asthma UK called for more research to establish whether a link exists.