NY Times comment / CS

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CSMNFLAGAs mentioned by others, the article mentioned growing concern without explaining the issues. Here is the information from the FDA's Drug Safety Oversight Board Meeting, June 18, 2009, which specifies some of the unknowns and concerns:"1. ...Approved products instruct patients to dissolve the PEG-3350 powder in a liquid and use immediately. The approved products have been tested under these conditions and are stable. It is unknown if prolonged duration in solution would change the chemical properties of PEG-3350, and what the actual content of

ethylene glycol or diethylene glycol or other low molecular weight PEG would be under such conditions."2. PEG products that are available over-the-counter can be used without medical oversight."3. There is a perception that PEG is safe because it is minimally absorbed from the stomach and intestines. However, little is known about whether absorption in children differs from adults, especially in children who are constipated, have underlying intestinal disease, or are very young."4. Children are receiving adult doses of PEG in some cases."5. Children may be more susceptible to variations in PEG product quality."6. Effects of large doses of PEG given over a long duration (e.g., weeks or longer) is not known."