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Centre Issues An Advisory To States On Use Of Cough Syrups For Children
The move follows recent reports of child fatalities in Madhya Pradesh, allegedly linked to the use of cough syrups.
- By Newsdesk
- New Delhi
- Oct 07, 2025
The Union Health Ministry has issued an advisory urging all States and Union Territories to exercise caution in prescribing cough syrups to children, particularly those under the age of five. The Ministry stated that cough and cold medications must not be prescribed to children below two years of age, and for older children, they should only be used after careful clinical evaluation, vigilant monitoring, and strict adherence to dosage guidelines.
The advisory noted that many episodes of acute cough in children are self-limiting and often resolve without pharmacological treatment. The Ministry has directed all State and UT Health Departments, district authorities, and medical institutions—including government hospitals and dispensaries—to ensure the advisory is widely disseminated and implemented.
The move follows recent reports of child fatalities in Madhya Pradesh, allegedly linked to the use of cough syrups. A joint team comprising experts from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), National Institute of Virology (NIV), and the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) carried out a field investigation, collecting samples of various cough syrups in coordination with state officials.
Laboratory analyses found no traces of Diethylene Glycol (DEG) or Ethylene Glycol (EG)—toxic contaminants known to cause acute kidney failure—in any of the tested samples. The Madhya Pradesh State Food and Drug Administration also confirmed similar results from three independently tested samples.
Addressing reports of two child deaths in Rajasthan allegedly linked to contaminated cough syrups, the Ministry clarified that the particular product in question did not contain Propylene Glycol, a compound that can act as a precursor to DEG or EG.
With the new advisory in place, states and Union Territories have been directed to maintain strict oversight over pediatric cough syrup prescriptions and ensure that all healthcare providers adhere to the recommended guidelines.