The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has issued an advisory urging caution in the use of cough and cold medications in children, especially in the paediatric population.
According to the advisory, cough and cold syrups should not be prescribed or dispensed to children under the age of two. These medications are generally not recommended for children below five years, and for older children, their use must be based on careful clinical evaluation.
The DGHS emphasizes that when such medications are deemed necessary, they should be used under close medical supervision, with strict adherence to the correct dosage, the shortest effective duration, and avoidance of multiple-drug combinations, which can increase the risk of adverse effects.
The advisory also calls for increased public awareness, urging caregivers and parents to follow doctors’ prescriptions strictly and avoid self-medication or over-the-counter remedies for children.
This move comes amid growing global concern over the misuse of paediatric cough syrups and their potential health risks. The DGHS aims to promote safer, evidence-based treatment practices for respiratory symptoms in children.