FDA Bans Sale of Pediatric Cough Syrups Without Prescription

In Brief

• 'Medicines in the Syrup Category Should Not Be Given Without Prescription'

• Instructions from the Pharmaceutical Department to All Retail Medicine Sellers

• 'No Sale of Syrup Without Prescription Note'

(Cough Syrup) The deaths of children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan are suspected to be caused by a cough medicine produced by a company in Tamil Nadu. Adulteration was found in samples of the cough medicine from a company in Tamil Nadu, and it is reported that a ban has been imposed on this medicine.

In the backdrop of child deaths due to adulteration in cough syrup in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, the Food and Drug Administration has now issued important directives. The Food and Drug Department has warned of strict action if medicines in the 'syrup' category for pediatric patients are sold without a doctor's prescription.

Under the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules 1945, instructions have been given to sell drugs listed under Schedule H, Schedule H-1, and Schedule X only on a doctor's prescription. However, if anyone is selling drugs without a doctor's note, a warning of action has been issued.