The central government has issued an advisory on the “judicious” use of cough syrups – a development that comes days after the consumption of one such medicine allegedly killed two children and is reported to have caused some others to fall ill in Rajasthan.

In its circular, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said cough syrups were not recommended for children below 5 years of age and that most acute cough illnesses in children “are self-limiting and often resolve without pharmacological intervention”.

“This advisory reiterates the judicious prescribing and dispensing of cough syrups for children,” it said. “Cough and cold medications should not be prescribed or dispensed to children under 2 years. These are generally not recommended for ages below 5 years and above that

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