Giving cough syrup to children under 2 years of age is completely prohibited
Instructions issued to all districts of Chhattisgarh
Monitoring intensified at pharmaceutical manufacturing units and medical stores
Raipur, October 6, 2025/
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, has issued an important advisory, giving clear instructions that children under two years of age should not be given any kind of cough syrup or cold medicines. Also, these medicines are generally not recommended for children under five years of age. This step has been taken with the aim of protecting infants from potential side effects and ensuring their health safety.
As soon as the advisory was issued, the Chhattisgarh Health Department, acting promptly, issued necessary instructions to the Chief Medical and Health Officers (CMHO) and Civil Surgeons of all districts. All government and private health institutions have been directed to strictly adhere to this guideline of the Government of India.
Along with this, the Commissioner of Health Services has organized a high-level video conference in this regard and strictly instructed all district-level departmental officers that the use of cough or cold medicines should be based only on medical advice, and no negligence should be taken in this regard.
According to experts, in most cases, common illnesses like cough and cold in children get cured on their own and it is not necessary to give medicine for this. Therefore, the general public will also be made aware not to give medicines to children without the advice of a doctor.
Drug supply system is under strict monitoring
According to information received from Chhattisgarh Medical Services Corporation (CGMSC), the two companies against which action has been taken in other states have not had any government supply in the state. These companies are also not registered in the CGMSC database.
This fact confirms the transparency and vigilance of the supply chain at the government level in the state.
Inspection of manufacturing units and private pharmacies intensified
After the video conference organized by the Union Health Secretary on October 5, the Food and Drug Administration Department in Chhattisgarh has also intensified monitoring and action. Teams of drug inspectors have been constituted to conduct risk-based inspections of pharmaceutical manufacturing units across the state.
All Assistant Drug Controllers and Drug Inspectors of the state have been issued letters directing them to immediately inspect all drug sales establishments so that there is no possibility of violation of the advisory. Along with this, surprise inspections of private pharmacies are also being conducted. The main objective of these actions is to ensure that improper or careless use of any kind of drugs in relation to children is completely stopped. Health department officials have requested parents not to give any medicine to their children without medical advice.
