“Avoid Cough and Cold Medicines for Children Under Two Years”
SRINAGAR: Secretary, Health & Medical Education, Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, today urged the use of rational medication in children while chairing a meeting at the Civil Secretariat here.
The meeting was attended by Commissioner, Food & Drugs Administration, J&K, Smita Sethi; Heads of Paediatrics Departments from all Government Medical Colleges of Jammu and Kashmir; and officers from Divisional and District levels of the Drugs Control Organisation, J&K.
The discussion followed a recent advisory from the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, which recommends that cough and cold medications should not be prescribed or dispensed to children below two years of age.
Dr. Abid Rasheed emphasized the urgent need to promote rational drug use and ensure patient safety in paediatric care across Jammu and Kashmir. He directed medical professionals, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and regulatory authorities to strictly follow national guidelines and best practices.
During the meeting, the HODs of Paediatrics noted that such medications are generally not recommended for children under five. For older children, usage should be guided by careful clinical evaluation, close supervision, and strict adherence to dosage guidelines, avoiding multi-drug combinations. The DGHS advisory further highlights that most acute cough illnesses in children are self-limiting and resolve without medication.
Pharmaceutical manufacturers in J&K were instructed to comply with WHO-GMP standards and carry out complete impurity profiling according to the latest pharmacopeial norms. Drugs Control Officers were asked to educate chemists and pharmacists about avoiding over-the-counter sales of cough and cold syrups without a valid prescription, and to conduct regular sampling and testing under Section 23 of the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940. Violations may lead to strict penalties, including suspension or cancellation of licenses under Rule 66 of the Drugs & Cosmetics Rules.
The public is strongly advised not to self-medicate children and to always consult a doctor or paediatrician before administering any cough or cold syrup.
Dr. Abid Rasheed also directed all field officers and medical institutions to enforce these guidelines rigorously across the Union Territory to protect child health, prevent misuse of medications, and promote rational, evidence-based paediatric care.
