Centre Issues Advisory on Cough Syrup Use for Children Below 5 Years

Bhubaneswar: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued an advisory to all states and union territories, including Odisha, urging judicious use of cough syrups for children below five years of age.

The advisory follows recent incidents of child deaths allegedly linked to toxic cough syrups in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. It includes detailed guidelines for the safe prescribing and dispensing of cough syrups in paediatric care.

According to the advisory, cough and cold syrups should not be prescribed to children under two years, and are not recommended for those below five years. For children above five, their use should be strictly supervised by doctors after proper health evaluation and dosage assessment.

The Ministry also highlighted that most cough illnesses in children are self-limiting and often resolve without medication. Instead, it emphasized non-pharmacological measures such as adequate hydration, rest, and supportive care as the first line of treatment.

“All healthcare providers, both in government and private sectors, should uphold these standards of care,” the Health and Family Welfare Department stated. It further advised parents and caregivers to follow medical advice strictly to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children.