AIOCD welcomes Centre's move on cough syrup rule, calls for comprehensive review in consultation with stakeholders
New Delhi, June 16
The All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists has welcomed the recent notification issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare under which syrup medicines, including cough syrups, will no longer be available over the counter.
The association has also called for a comprehensive review of Schedule K in consultation with stakeholders to prevent misuse of exemptions, ensure regulatory compliance, and strengthen patient safety in medicine distribution.
The press note stated that, "The All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) has welcomed the notification issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India vide G.S.R. 477 (E) dated 9 June 2026, whereby the word "Syrups" for Cough has been omitted from Item (7) under Serial No. 13 of Schedule K of the Drugs Rules, 1945.
The association said that it has consistently been raising concerns before the Government regarding the misuse of Schedule K provisions by certain entities, including online pharmacies and others, for the sale and supply of medicines without adhering to the safeguards envisaged under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and Rules.
Welcoming the amendment, AIOCD President JS Shinde and General Secretary Rajiv Singhal stated that this decision is a positive and significant step towards ensuring responsible distribution of medicines and curbing regulatory loopholes that have been exploited in recent years.
The leaders further stated that while this amendment is a good beginning, there is still an urgent need for a detailed review of Schedule K.
They urged the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to undertake a comprehensive revision of Schedule K in consultation with all stakeholders, including regulators, healthcare professionals, pharmacists, chemists and druggists, patient groups, and industry representatives.
AIOCD believes that any exemption under the Drugs Rules must be aligned with the paramount objective of patient safety and public health. The organisation remains committed to working with the Government to ensure that medicines are dispensed through proper channels and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
In view of the latest amendment, AIOCD has also issued an advisory to all its member associations across the country to ensure strict compliance with statutory provisions governing the sale of medicines and to exercise utmost caution while dispensing cough syrups and other prescription medicines.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Good step but India needs to go further - many other countries already require prescriptions for most syrups. The real issue is enforcement, especially in smaller towns where chemists still sell anything without asking. AIOCD's call for stakeholder consultation is sensible though.
AIOCD always supports govt moves, but let's be honest - they also have a vested interest. Yeh ban online pharmacies ko hit karega zyada, not traditional chemists. Still, patient safety should be priority. Let's see if they also bring similar rules for painkillers and sleeping pills which are also misused.
As a mother of two, I'm relieved! My neighbor's teenage son was drinking cough syrup like it was Pepsi. But the govt should also educate parents and teachers about these dangers. Regulation alone can't solve the problem - we need awareness too. Still, well done AIOCD for pushing this. 👍
Honestly, I think this is a half-baked move. Schedule K needs a complete overhaul, not just removing one item. What about antibiotics sold without prescription? Antibiotic resistance is a bigger problem than cough syrup addiction in India. The consultation should happen quickly, not drag on for years.
As someone who works in pharma supply chain, this is long overdue. The loophole was being exploited massively - some online platforms were selling hundreds of bottles of certain syrups daily without any checks. Glad to see the government finally acting. But enforcement in rural areas will be key.
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