Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyle(Getty Images)India has banned the over-the-counter sale of cough syrups, now requiring a doctor's prescription for purchase, with the new rules effective immediately. This measure was enacted after dozens of children died in India and internationally due to contaminated Indian-made medication, prompting global scrutiny of the country's pharmaceutical industry. The World Health Organization has flagged seven Indian-made syrups linked to nearly 300 deaths globally since 2022, including 70 children in The Gambia. Investigations into these incidents revealed toxic contaminants such as diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol, industrial solvents not meant for medicinal use, in the syrups. The Indian Medical Association has welcomed the ban, stating that unregulated syrup sales contributed to substance abuse and posed serious health risks, especially to young children. In fullIndia bans sale of cough syrups without doctor’s prescriptionThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
India bans over-the-counter cough syrup after dozens of children die
Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyle(Getty Images)India has banned the over-the-counter sale of cough syrups, now requiring a doctor's prescription for purchase, with the new rules effective immediately. This measure was enacted after dozens of children died in India and internationally due to contaminated Indian-made medication, prompting global scrutiny of the country's pharmaceutical industry. The World Health Organization has flagged seven Indian-made syrups linked to nearly 300 deaths globally since 2022, including 70 children in The Gambia. Investigations into these incidents revealed toxic contaminants such as diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol, industrial solvents not meant for medicinal use, in the syrups. The Indian Medical Association has welcomed the ban, stating that unregulated syrup sales contributed to substance abuse and posed serious health risks, especially to young children. In fullIndia bans sale of cough syrups without doctor’s prescriptionThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
