Selling Cough Syrup Without Doctor’s Prescription; 20 Shops Shut Down

In Brief

• Selling cough syrup without a doctor's prescription proved costly

• The Food and Drug Administration closed 20 shops

• Major action by the Food and Drug Administration in the Pune division on Thursday

(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 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.

It is observed that selling cough syrup without a doctor's prescription has become costly despite warnings of action. The Food and Drug Administration has shut down 20 shops. On Thursday, the Food and Drug Administration conducted a major operation in the Pune division, and due to the death of children from cough syrup in Madhya Pradesh, the Food and Drug Administration has started an inspection campaign in Pune. The Pune division includes the districts of Pune, Satara, Sangli, Kolhapur, and Solapur. It is reported that action has been taken against 17 shops in Pune, 2 in Sangli, and one drug seller in Solapur.