Health Ministry warns against overmedication of cough syrups in children

Srinagar, Oct 3: The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) today released an advisory regarding "rational use" of cough syrups for children to states and union territories, underlining that most acute cough illnesses in kids are self-limiting and must not be treated with medicines.

“Most acute cough illnesses in children are self-limiting and often resolve without pharmacological intervention”, reads the advisory. The directive prohibits prescribing or dispensing cough and cold medications to children under 2 years of age. It calls for careful evaluation coupled with close supervision. The advisory states that cough syrups are not meant for children below 5 years. It stresses minimal dosing, the shortest effective duration, and avoiding multiple drug combinations.

The advisory mandates healthcare facilities and clinical establishments to ensure that products meet Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and use pharmaceutical-grade excipients. It also lists non-pharmacological measures like hydration and rest as first-line approaches for the treatment of cough.

The advisory comes amidst the shocking reports of child deaths linked to cough syrups in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. Over the past few weeks, at least nine children have died from kidney failure in Madhya Pradesh after being given cough syrups for seasonal fevers. Investigations are ongoing.

Two similar deaths have been reported from Rajasthan.

In 2022, contaminated Indian-made syrups were linked to nearly 70 child deaths in Gambia. Deaths were also reported from Jammu in 2020.

Think Twice Before Giving Cough Syrups to Children

The Government of India, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, has issued an advisory on the rational use of cough syrups and cold medicines in children, cautioning against their unnecessary and unsafe use.