Bhubaneswar: In a significant move towards ensuring child safety, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued an advisory to all States and Union Territories, cautioning against the routine use of cough syrups for children under five years of age.
The advisory highlights that most cough illnesses in young children are self-limiting and usually resolve without medication. It specifically states that cough and cold syrups should not be prescribed to children below two years, and are not recommended for those under five years. Even in cases involving older children, doctors have been advised to exercise caution, evaluate the child’s condition carefully, and monitor dosage closely.
Instead of relying on medication, the ministry has urged healthcare providers and parents to focus on non-pharmacological measures such as adequate hydration, rest, and other supportive care as the first line of treatment.
All paediatric care providers across government and private health facilities have been advised to uphold these safety standards. The ministry has also appealed to parents and caregivers to strictly follow doctors’ advice for the well-being of their children.
