The manufacturer of UniCough has called for the traditional ‘wet’ and ‘dry’ cough classification to be abandoned, saying it is “arbitrary” and not evidence-based, that it exist s mainly to enable brand diversification and doesn’t help sufferers get the right symptomatic relief.

“Treatment advice should be based on normalising the cough reflex,” says InFirst Healthcare. Hypersensitivity of the respiratory tract is the major mechanism causing all acute coughs, whether wet or dry, it maintains.

The company has proposed a new pathway to aid the assessment of acute cough in adults and children over 12 years in the pharmacy setting. It includes the following key questions:

• How long has the cough been present? (If less than three weeks, it is “highly likely” to be an acute cough related to an upper respiratory tract infection)
• Are there any associated symptoms, such as headache, fever or runny nose?
• Are there any ‘red flag’ symptoms such as localised chest pain or coughing up blood?

Although disruptive, an acute cough is self-limiting and rarely needs significant medical intervention. Sufferers can therefore be reassured and advised of a wide range of OTC options for symptomatic relief, the company says.

Infirst Healthcare: 020 7153 6600