India Weighs Prescription-Only Rule for Cough Syrups After Deadly Contamination

Overview

• An official proposal before the Drugs Consultative Committee would remove cough syrups from Schedule K, ending over-the-counter sales without a prescription.
• The draft focuses on liquid syrups and does not extend to lozenges or tablets, according to the agenda note reported by News18.
• The review follows a recent cluster of child deaths in Madhya Pradesh linked to cough syrups containing excessive diethylene glycol, with cases of poisoning and acute kidney injury reported.
• The World Health Organization issued a medical alert warning that untracked distribution of contaminated syrups through informal channels poses serious health risks.
• The CDSCO has ordered all drug manufacturers to meet global Good Manufacturing Practices by January 1, 2026, with noncompliant plants facing closure.