The sale of cough syrup without a doctor's prescription may soon be prohibited after the central government revoked a decades-old exemption that allowed certain syrup formulations to be sold under relaxed regulatory conditions.
Background of the Amendment
The change comes months after contaminated cough syrups linked to child deaths in Madhya Pradesh triggered a World Health Organization (WHO) alert. The health ministry has amended the Drugs Rules, 1945 by removing 'syrups' from Schedule K. However, lozenges, pills, and tablets for cough continue to remain on the exempted list.
Previous Exemption Details
The exemption had permitted cough syrups to be sold as household remedies in villages with populations below 1,000. With the amendment coming into force, cough syrups will now have to be sold through licensed pharmacies, bringing them under the regular regulatory framework governing medicines.
Official Statements
Officials said the latest amendment is intended to strengthen regulatory oversight, improve accountability in the distribution chain, and align older exemptions with present-day public health and safety requirements. Health experts noted that the change could improve traceability and regulatory monitoring of cough syrups, which remain among the most commonly used medicines in rural India.
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About the Author
Anuja Jaiswal is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India, with an impressive 18-year career in narrative journalism. She specializes in health and heritage reporting, expertly simplifying complex health information to make it engaging and understandable for readers. Her deep dives into heritage topics are well-researched, resulting in captivating narratives that resonate with her audience. Over the years, she has worked in Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, and West UP, gaining diverse on-ground experience that shapes her storytelling.
