In an unprecedented move, chemists in Kheda district, particularly in Nadiad city, have stopped selling cough syrups without a doctor’s prescription. This self-regulation follows a tragedy involving a fake Ayurvedic syrup that claimed five lives due to methanol poisoning in late 2023.
Despite the peak season for flu and influenza-like illnesses (ILI), which typically increases the sales of cough syrups, retailers are adhering more strictly to the law in the wake of the tragedy. In India, cough syrups are classified under Schedule H in the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, meaning their sale is restricted to those with a valid prescription from a registered medical practitioner (RMP).
The Federation of Gujarat Chemist and Pharmacist Associations has praised this move as a positive measure following the Kheda tragedy. Notably, most cough syrups contain drugs that place them in the Schedule H category.
In December 2023, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) initiated a nationwide drive to ensure the quality of cough syrups manufactured in India and mandated stringent checks for those being exported. The DCGI also prohibited the use of cough syrups employing a fixed drug combination (FDC) of Chlorpheniramine Maleate IP 2mg and Phenylephrine HCI IP 5mg drops for children under 4 years of age.
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