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

According to the ministry of health, a prescription by a doctor will be required for the purchase of 'syrups', including cough syrups. | India News

The Centre has amended the Drugs Rules, 1945, removing syrups from Schedule K exemptions, mandating a doctor's prescription for their sale to ensure stricter regulatory control.

You will now require a doctor’s prescription to buy cough syrups and other syrup medicines.

Govt amends rules to bring cough syrups under stricter regulatory oversight | India News

Indian syrups have been linked to deaths of children at home and abroad