Port Blair, Oct 7: What may seem like a simple bottle of cough syrup could carry hidden risks for children. With growing concerns nationwide about the irrational use of such medicines among the pediatric population, the South Andaman Administration has stepped in — determined to clamp down on unsafe practices and enforce strict compliance with national health guidelines.
In a decisive move to safeguard child health, Deputy Commissioner (South Andaman), convened a high-level meeting with health officials, pharmacists, private clinics and chemist associations to review compliance with the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare’s advisory on the rational use of cough syrups in children. The meeting, held in line with directions from the Director General of Health Services (DGHS), highlighted the serious health risks associated with indiscriminate use of cough and cold medications in young children.
According to the advisory:
No cough syrup should be given to children below 2 years of age.
For children under 5, their use is generally not recommended.
For older children, syrups may only be prescribed after careful clinical evaluation and close supervision.
Strict guidelines call for minimal dosing, shortest duration of use, and avoidance of multiple drug combinations. A detailed review was carried out to check availability and dispensing patterns across government hospitals, private clinics, and pharmacies. Inspection teams will now be deployed to monitor compliance and curb violations.
The Deputy Commissioner directed that no cough syrup should be sold without a valid doctor’s prescription and urged pharmacies and clinics to ensure only approved formulations are dispensed. In addition, he emphasized community awareness campaigns to educate parents that self-medicating children with syrups can be dangerous and must only be done after consulting a doctor.
