The South Andaman Administration has stepped up its regulatory vigilance on the use of cough syrups in children, following the advisory issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India. Deputy Commissioner Arjun Sharma convened a meeting with healthcare stakeholders in Sri Vijaya Puram on October 7 to review local compliance and ensure strict adherence to the national guidelines.
The session was attended by representatives from the Health Department, Drug Control Administration, medical officers, pharmacists, private clinics, and chemist associations. The purpose of the meeting was to assess the availability and distribution of cough syrups across public and private health facilities and to prevent misuse in the paediatric population.
The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), MoHFW, has clearly advised that cough and cold medications should not be prescribed or dispensed to children under two years of age. For children below five years, their use is generally not recommended. For older children, these medicines must be used only after careful clinical evaluation, under close supervision, with strict adherence to appropriate dosage, shortest effective duration, and avoidance of multiple drug combinations.
During the review, the Deputy Commissioner instructed health facilities, private clinics, and pharmacies to refrain from dispensing cough syrups without a valid prescription. Inspection teams will be deployed to monitor government-aided facilities, private clinics, and pharmacies to ensure compliance. The directive also calls for stricter monitoring of procurement processes so that only products manufactured under Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and containing pharmaceutical-grade excipients are dispensed.
Officials highlighted that most acute cough illnesses in children are self-limiting and resolve without pharmacological interventions. Instead, parents and caregivers were advised to adopt non-pharmacological approaches such as ensuring adequate hydration, providing sufficient rest, and using other supportive measures as the first line of care. To spread awareness, community-level campaigns will be launched across South Andaman, educating families about the risks of inappropriate medication and the importance of consulting doctors before administering cough syrups to children.
Pharmacists and chemist associations were reminded of their responsibility to follow regulatory frameworks and ensure vigilance against irrational prescribing practices. Periodic reports on inspections and compliance will be submitted to the administration for continuous monitoring.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has extended the advisory to all states and union territories, stressing that patient safety and responsible prescribing are of paramount importance. The South Andaman Administration’s review aligns with this directive and aims to prevent potential health risks in children, particularly those under five years of age.
In conclusion, officials emphasized that the advisory is not just procedural but a vital safeguard for children’s health. The Deputy Commissioner called on healthcare providers, pharmacists, and regulatory authorities to work collectively in ensuring that medicines are used judiciously and that paediatric care remains guided by scientific and safety-oriented principles.
