The Centre is considering making cough syrups a prescription-only medicine after multiple incidents of contaminated batches causing child deaths in India. A proposal placed before the Drugs Consultative Committee (DCC), accessed by News18, recommends removing cough syrups from Schedule K — the list of medicines allowed to be sold without a drug-sale licence.
If approved, common cough syrups would no longer be available over the counter and would require a doctor’s prescription.
Why the rules may change
The proposal cites “recent incidences due to contaminated cough syrup,” including last month’s tragedy in Madhya Pradesh, where several children died after consuming a syrup found to contain excessive levels of diethylene glycol, a toxic chemical known to cause kidney failure. The incident triggered a nationwide recall and prompted a WHO alert on the dangers of unregulated liquid medicines.
What the move would affect
Schedule K currently covers widely used, low-risk medicines such as paracetamol, antacids, balms, gripe water and first-aid supplies. Cough syrups, lozenges and tablets are also allowed under this exemption. The new proposal, however, recommends removing only cough syrups from the list. Lozenges and tablets would continue to be sold freely.
“In view of the recent incidences due to contaminated cough syrup, it is proposed that the exemption for the sale of syrups for cough may be deleted,” the document notes.
Safety concerns behind the shift
Several states have already cautioned parents against giving cough syrups to young children without medical advice, citing repeated quality lapses in liquid drug formulations. Experts say the move could strengthen oversight and prevent tragedies linked to toxic or substandard syrups.
If implemented, the change would significantly alter access to cough syrups, turning a routine over-the-counter purchase into one requiring medical supervision.