Key facts
- Over-the-counter sales of all syrups have been discontinued.
- A doctor's prescription is now required to purchase any syrup-based medicine.
- The amendment to the Drugs Rules, 1945, removes syrups from Schedule K exemptions.
- The change follows safety concerns regarding cough and oral liquid medicines.
The government has implemented a new regulation that prohibits the over-the-counter sale of all syrups. Moving forward, individuals will require a doctor's prescription to purchase any syrup-based medication. This decision aims to prevent the misuse of these products and ensure that their use is guided by professional medical advice. The amendment to the Drugs Rules, 1945, removes syrups from the list of exempted drug categories under Schedule K, which covers drugs exempt from certain provisions governing manufacture, sale, and distribution. This signals a clampdown on the over-the-counter sale of syrup-based medicines, following growing regulatory attention on cough and oral liquid medicines due to safety concerns. The Drugs (Fifth Amendment) Rules, 2026, come into force immediately upon publication in the Official Gazette.