If you buy cough syrup from a medical store when you have a cold, this habit can lead to serious problems. In recent months, several children have died in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan after consuming contaminated cough syrup. Following this, the Indian government took strict action, completely revoking the manufacturing license of Srisan Pharmaceutical Company, which manufactured the adulterated cough syrup Coldrif in Tamil Nadu, and also ordered the company's closure.

Now, according to information coming from Varanasi, cough syrup was being smuggled rampantly. According to media reports, the Uttar Pradesh Food and Drug Department has filed a case against 12 pharmaceutical firms in Varanasi for smuggling codeine-based cough syrup. Previously, cases have been filed against 26 firms.

Health experts caution everyone against consuming cough syrups that are constantly being sold.

Proposal to Ban the Sale of Cough Syrups Without Prescriptions

In light of the deaths of many children and their adverse effects due to cough syrups, the central government has taken strict measures to curb their arbitrary sale. Most cough syrups will now be prohibited from being sold in medical stores without a doctor's prescription. They will be required to maintain records of each prescription and adhere to strict quality control regulations.

The Drugs Consultative Committee (DCC) has recommended removing all cough syrups from the scheduled list, allowing them to be sold only with a doctor's prescription. This move is expected to end a long-standing exemption that allowed unlicensed pharmacists in small villages to sell cough syrups as over-the-counter medications. This proposal was presented at a meeting held on November 17th.

Health experts say never to use cough syrups as self-medication; it can be dangerous. Cough syrups should always be purchased or consumed only on the advice of a doctor and based on a prescription.

Don't give cough syrup to young children.

Dr. Sarita Sharma, a pediatrician at a Delhi-based hospital, told Amar Ujala that cough syrup should not be given to children under 6 months of age. Children under 5 years of age should be given cough syrup only under medical advice and supervision. Even when prescribing cough syrup to adults, doctors consider various conditions, including comorbidities.

Exercise caution when purchasing it.

Over-the-counter (without a prescription) cough syrups are readily available in India. People often drink the syrup as soon as they have a sore throat, which can be dangerous. Some syrups contain ingredients like codeine, which are addictive and affect the central nervous system. Therefore, always take syrups only on a doctor's advice.

Before taking cough syrup, check for diethylene glycol or ethylene glycol, industrial chemicals that can be highly toxic.
 

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