Comment on sodium cromoglicate: an ineffective drug or meta-analysis misused? by Stevens et al., Pharmaceutical Statistics.

Stevens et al. [1] have reviewed a series of meta-analyses concerning the use of sodium cromoglicate (SCG) in childhood asthma, each carried out by a largely identical group of authors. Stevens et al. believe that the interpretations of these metaanalyses are all too strongly negative and that this has subsequently been reflected in international guidelines and consensus statements. They say that, as a result, the extent of use of a valuable drug in children may now be inappropriately low. There are three important strands in this debate.