MoHFW Advises Warning on Paediatric Use of Cough Syrups

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 youngsters, highlighting the significance of affected person security and accountable prescribing practices.

Healthcare professionals and most people have been suggested to keep away from pointless use of cough and chilly medicines in younger youngsters. According to the advisory, such medicines shouldn’t be prescribed or allotted to youngsters beneath two years of age. While typically not really helpful for kids beneath 5, any use above that age ought to contain cautious scientific analysis, shut supervision, applicable dosing, the shortest efficient period, and avoidance of a number of drug mixtures.

The advisory additionally emphasizes that almost all acute cough diseases in youngsters are self-limiting and sometimes resolve with out pharmacological intervention. Parents and caregivers are inspired to undertake non-pharmacological measures resembling ample hydration, relaxation, and different supportive care as the primary line of remedy.

Furthermore, all healthcare services and scientific institutions have been instructed to acquire and dispense solely these merchandise manufactured beneath Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and containing pharmaceutical-grade excipients.

The MoHFW’s transfer comes as a part of ongoing efforts to safeguard youngsters from potential opposed results of inappropriate treatment use and to advertise evidence-based pediatric care.