TFP Bureau, Raipur, October 6, 2025: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, has issued a nationwide advisory strictly prohibiting the use of cough syrups and cold medications for children below two years of age, while also discouraging their use for children under five. The directive aims to safeguard infants and young children from potential adverse drug reactions and ensure safer pediatric healthcare practices.
Acting swiftly on the Centre’s directive, the Chhattisgarh Health Department has instructed Chief Medical and Health Officers (CMHOs), Civil Surgeons, and all district-level health officials to ensure immediate and strict compliance across government and private healthcare institutions. The state has also launched a statewide awareness drive to inform parents and caregivers about the health risks associated with administering over-the-counter cough or cold syrups to young children without medical supervision.
In a high-level video conference chaired by the Commissioner of Health Services, officials were directed to enforce the advisory without exception. District health authorities were specifically instructed that no cough or cold medication should be given to children unless prescribed by a qualified medical practitioner. The Commissioner emphasized that any negligence or violation of this directive would invite strict disciplinary action.
Medical experts have supported the government’s decision, stating that most coughs and colds in children are caused by viral infections that resolve naturally within a few days. Overuse of medications, they warn, can lead to side effects such as drowsiness, allergic reactions, or even respiratory complications in infants. Doctors have urged parents to seek professional medical advice instead of relying on self-medication or traditional remedies for their children.
Drug Supply Chain Under Close Scrutiny
According to information provided by the Chhattisgarh Medical Services Corporation (CGMSC), no medicines from the two pharmaceutical companies that faced regulatory action in other states are being supplied in Chhattisgarh. These companies are not registered in the CGMSC database, confirming that the state’s drug procurement and supply systems remain transparent, safe, and compliant with central standards.
The state government has reiterated that all medicines supplied through official channels undergo rigorous quality checks. The Health Department has assured citizens that stringent monitoring will continue to prevent any substandard or non-compliant medicines from entering the state’s supply network.
Monitoring of Drug Manufacturers and Pharmacies Intensified
Following a directive from the Union Health Secretary during a national review meeting on October 5, the Chhattisgarh Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has intensified inspections of pharmaceutical manufacturing units and private medical stores. Teams of drug inspectors have been deployed to conduct risk-based inspections across all districts to ensure compliance with the new pediatric medicine guidelines.
Assistant Drug Controllers and Drug Inspectors have been instructed to carry out immediate and surprise inspections of retail pharmacies to check for any unauthorized sale or distribution of cough syrups meant for children. The FDA has also begun random sampling of pediatric medications to ensure adherence to safety norms.
Health Department officials have appealed to parents and caregivers to strictly avoid giving any cough or cold medicine to children without consulting a doctor. They emphasized that increased vigilance, both at the public and administrative levels, is crucial to ensuring the safety and well-being of Chhattisgarh’s youngest citizens.
The initiative underscores the state’s proactive approach to implementing national health advisories and protecting children from preventable medical risks.
