Cough syrups to be sold only through licensed pharmacies: Govt
New Delhi, June 16
The government has amended the Drugs Rules, 1945, removing an exemption that allowed the sale of cough syrups in small villages without compliance with certain retail licensing requirements, according to an official statement on Tuesday.
The amendment was notified through a notification and involves the omission of the word 'syrup' from Schedule K of the Drugs Rules, 1945, according to the statement from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Schedule K provides exemptions from certain provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and the rules framed under it for specified categories of drugs, it said.
Before the amendment, the provision allowed cough syrups to be sold in villages with a population of less than 1,000 without requiring compliance with certain retail sale licensing norms. With the latest change, the exemption will no longer apply to cough syrups.
Now, the sale and dispensing of cough syrups in such villages will now have to be carried out only through duly licensed pharmacies in accordance with the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and the Drugs Rules, 1945.
In addition, the Health Ministry said the amendment has been introduced to strengthen regulatory oversight of syrup formulations and align the exemption framework with current public health and safety requirements.
According to the ministry, the measure is expected to promote responsible distribution and sale of cough syrups while ensuring greater compliance with regulatory standards across the country.
Moreover, the ministry advised manufacturers, distributors and retailers dealing in cough syrups to ensure strict adherence to all applicable licensing and regulatory requirements under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and the Drugs Rules.
As a result, consumers will now need a valid prescription from a registered medical practitioner to purchase such medications.
— IANS
Reader Comments
A much-needed move! The way cough syrups were being misused in rural areas was alarming - especially the codeine-based ones. But I hope the licensing process is quick and not another bureaucratic hurdle. Also, what about online pharmacies? 🏥
I appreciate the government's intent, but this will make life difficult in remote villages. My grandmother in a small Himachal village relies on cough syrup for her chronic cough. Now she'll need a prescription and a 50km trip to a licensed pharmacy. What about elderly and poor people? 😔
Finally some action! The unregulated sale of these syrups was leading to addiction among youth in our rural areas. My cousin in Punjab fell into that trap - started with cough syrup for 'fun', now he's struggling. This regulation will save many families from such tragedies. Well done, Health Ministry! 👏
Good on paper, but implementation is key. In UP, we still have illegal pharmacies operating openly. Will this be enforced or just another circular gathering dust? Also, need to ensure affordable alternatives for common cold - not everyone needs a doctor for a simple cough.
As a pharmacist in a tier-2 city, I see both sides. While this will curb misuse, it'll also increase the burden on already overworked health centers in villages. What we really need is better primary healthcare infrastructure - then these regulations make sense. Otherwise, it's just adding to rural woes. 🤔
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