Centre mulls cough syrups ban for kids under 2 amid safety concerns: Report

New Delhi: Health Ministry is reportedly considering banning prescriptions of paediatric cough syrups for children under two years and discouraging their use for those under five.

Reports said that the move under a draft of the National Formulary of India (NFI) 2026, released by the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission, marks a notable shift in prescribing norms after a series of contamination-linked deaths last year.

There was, however, no official word from Health Ministry on the reports.

The draft NFI, which acts as a guide for doctors and pharmacists by standardising drug information on dosage, indications, contraindications and side effects, explicitly states that “cough and cold medications should not be prescribed or dispensed to children under two years”.

Further, it added that such medications are generally not recommended for those below five without careful clinical evaluation and close supervision.

The draft also placed the onus of independently testing inputs and final products on pharmaceutical firms to ensure accountability across the supply chain. Industry bodies, including the Indian Drugs Manufacturers Association, are currently reviewing the draft for feedback.