Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 08 October 2025
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has issued a nationwide advisory to all States and Union Territories urging rational use of cough syrups in children, highlighting the importance of patient safety and responsible prescribing practices.
Healthcare professionals and the general public have been advised to avoid unnecessary use of cough and cold medications in young children. According to the advisory, such medications should not be prescribed or dispensed to children under two years of age. While generally not recommended for children under five, any use above that age should involve careful clinical evaluation, close supervision, appropriate dosing, the shortest effective duration, and avoidance of multiple drug combinations.
The advisory also emphasizes that most acute cough illnesses in children are self-limiting and often resolve without pharmacological intervention. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to adopt non-pharmacological measures such as adequate hydration, rest, and other supportive care as the first line of treatment.
Furthermore, all healthcare facilities and clinical establishments have been instructed to procure and dispense only those products manufactured under Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and containing pharmaceutical-grade excipients.
The MoHFW’s move comes as part of ongoing efforts to safeguard children from potential adverse effects of inappropriate medication use and to promote evidence-based pediatric care.
