Govt ends over-the-counter sales of all 'syrups'; mandates doctor's prescription for purchase

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued a notification bringing all syrups, including cough syrups, under prescription-only sale, making them unavailable over the counter without a doctor's prescription.

The notification, which came into effect on Tuesday, mandates that consumers must now produce a valid prescription from a registered medical practitioner to purchase any syrup formulation from pharmacies.

The move follows the notification of the Drugs (Fifth Amendment) Rules, 2026, issued by the Department of Health and Family Welfare on June 9. The rules "shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette", the notification said.


Under the amendment, Centre has omitted the word "Syrups" from Schedule K of the Drugs Rules, 1945. Schedule K lists categories of drugs that are exempt from certain provisions relating to their sale and distribution under specified conditions.

"In the Drugs Rules, 1945, in Schedule K, in the column, under the heading Class of Drugs, against serial number 13, in item number (7), the word 'Syrups,' shall be omitted," the notification stated.

The government said the amendment was notified after a draft of the proposed rules was published in December 2025 and objections and suggestions received from the public were considered.

The notification further said that the rules were framed by the Central Government "after consultation with the Drugs Technical Advisory Board" in exercise of powers conferred under Sections 12 and 33 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.