Government makes doctor’s prescription mandatory to buy all medicinal syrups, including for cough

The government on Tuesday (June 16, 2026) issued a notification mandating that all syrups, including those used to treat coughs, will now require a doctor’s prescription before they can be purchased. That is, the over-the-counter sale of these syrups will no longer be allowed. 

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Tuesday (June 16, 2026) notified the change to the Drugs Rules, 1945, which laid out the rules and regulations pertaining to the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.

The latest notification directed that the word ‘syrup’ be removed from the list of items that had been exempted from the provisions of the Act. The rules had earlier specified that ‘Syrups, lozenges, pills and tablets for cough’ would be exempted.

Following Tuesday’s (June 16, 2026) change, lozenges and pills and tablets for cough would still be available over the counter. 

The amendment follows a draft notification that was issued in December 2025 on which the government invited objections and suggestions from stakeholders and the public. 

According to the notification, the government said all comments received on the draft rules were considered before the final notification was issued.