The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has issued an advisory to all states and Union Territories on the rational use of cough syrups in children, following the deaths of several children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan allegedly linked to their consumption.

In its communication, the DGHS urged doctors and pharmacists to be ‘judicious’ in prescribing and dispensing cough syrups for children. It said most acute cough illnesses in children are self-limiting and get better on their own without medication. The advisory aims to prevent unnecessary and unsafe use of cough syrups in paediatric cases.

Cough syrups not recommended for children under five

The DGHS advisory clearly states that cough and cold syrups should not be prescribed for children below two years of age, and ar

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