As Health Ministry issues diktat on cough syrups, questions arise over OTC enforcement
The Indian Health Ministry has mandated prescriptions for all cough syrups to curb misuse and indiscriminate consumption. While medical professionals support the move, pharmacists express concerns regarding the practical enforcement of these rules in a culture accustomed to over-the-counter medicine.
Why it matters
Stricter drug regulations are vital for public health, but they face significant implementation hurdles in large, informal retail markets.
When people in India are used to buying all sorts of medicines over the counter (OTC), the challenge is the enforcement of laws which make prescription mandatory, said Hyderabad-based paediatrician Sivaranjani Santosh even as she welcomed the Centre’s decision to make all syrups, including cough syrups, as prescription-only.
The article balances government policy with the perspectives of both medical experts and trade representatives.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in