NewzVille Desk
The government has notified an amendment to the Drugs Rules, 1945, saying that the exemption given for the sale of cough syrups in small villages has been withdrawn.
In a Gazette notification, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has said that the word “Syrup” from Schedule K of the drugs rules under the heading “Class of Drugs” has been omitted.
The Ministry added that with the omission of the word “Syrup”, this exemption will no longer be available for cough syrups.
Consequently, the sale and dispensing of cough syrups in smaller villages will now be required to take place only through duly licensed pharmacies in accordance with the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and the Rules framed under it.
Earlier, the sale of cough syrups in villages with a population of less than one thousand without requiring compliance with certain retail sale licensing provisions was permitted.
The Ministry added that the amendment was made to strengthen regulatory oversight of syrup formulations and to align the exemption framework with contemporary public health and safety requirements.
It added that the measure is expected to promote responsible distribution and sale of cough syrups while ensuring greater compliance with regulatory standards across the country.
