Sri Vijaya Puram, Oct. 7: Shri Arjun Sharma, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman, convened a meeting today with all concerned stakeholders to review and ensure compliance with the Advisory issued by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoH&FW), Government of India, regarding the rational use of cough syrups in the paediatric population. The meeting was held in reference to the directions issued by the Director General of Health Services (DGHS), MoH&FW, and the subsequent circular issued by the Directorate of Health Services, Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
The session aimed to strengthen regulatory vigilance and promote the safe and judicious use of cough syrups, especially among children. The meeting was attended by representatives from the Health Department, Drug Control Administration, Medical Officers, Pharmacists, Private Clinics, and Private Chemist Associations.
As per the advisory issued by the DGHS, cough and cold medications should not be prescribed or dispensed to children under 2 years of age. These medications are generally not recommended for children below 5 years, and for older children, their use should follow careful clinical evaluation and close supervision. Strict adherence to appropriate dosing, shortest effective duration, and avoidance of multiple drug combinations is essential.
A detailed review was undertaken to assess the current availability and distribution of cough syrups across Government and private health facilities, as well as retail drug vendors. Inspection teams will be deployed to monitor compliance at Government-aided facilities, private clinics, and pharmacies to ensure that the sale and use of cough syrups strictly adhere to national health advisories.
The Deputy Commissioner directed all health facilities, private clinics, and pharmacy stakeholders to refrain from dispensing cough syrups to the general public without a valid doctor’s prescription. Stakeholders were urged to maintain strict vigilance, ensure that only approved and safe formulations are used for paediatric patients, and submit periodic reports on inspections and compliance. In addition, community-level awareness campaigns will be conducted to educate the public for use of cough syrups in children with prior medical consultation only.
The meeting concluded with a call for collective responsibility among healthcare providers, pharmacists, and regulatory bodies to safeguard public health especially that of children through the rational use of medicines.