In Focus Podcast | Cough syrups no longer OTC: who needs to take them and how?
The Indian government has mandated that all cough syrups must be sold only at licensed pharmacies with a doctor's prescription. This regulatory change follows incidents of adulterated medication and aims to improve public health safety.
Why it matters
Stricter pharmaceutical regulations are critical for preventing public health crises and ensuring the safety of over-the-counter medications.
Cough syrup is in the news again. Earlier this week, the Central government notified an amendment to the Drugs Rules of 1945. Under this amendment, the sale of cough syrups is only permitted at licensed pharmacies. Earlier, the sale of certain cough syrups was permitted over the counter in retail outlets in villages with small populations of less than 1,000 people, where licensed pharmacies may not have existed. This has now been changed to strengthen regulatory oversight. This means that cough syrups everywhere can be sold only at licensed pharmacies and with a doctor’s prescription, not over the counter. This comes just months after the tragic deaths of 24 children in Madhya Pradesh, who died after consuming cough syrup adulterated with diethylene glycol.
The article provides a factual overview of a government policy change and includes expert commentary.
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