Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has issued a notification which brings into effect that all “syrups”, including cough syrups will no longer be available over the counter.A prescription by a doctor will be required for the purchase of 'Syrups', according to a notification dated June 9. (Unsplash/Representative)A prescription by a doctor will be required for the purchase of 'Syrups', according to a MoHFW notification dated June 9.The draft notification regarding this was issued in December. Since no objection was made to the order by parties concerned, it has now officially been gazette notified.The notification carries a key amendment to India's Drugs Rules, 1945, removing the word "Syrups" from a category of medicines that were exempt from certain regulatory provisions under Schedule K.This means cough syrups and other syrup-based medicines are no longer included in the exemption listed under:Schedule K, Serial number 13, Item number (7). Schedule K contains drugs that are exempt from some requirements of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act/Rules under specific conditions.The curb comes against the backdrop of several incidents of deaths linked to faulty cough syrup emulsions in the country.