India News | Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Amends Drugs Rules, 1945; Exemption for Sale of Cough Syrups in Small Villages Withdrawn
Get latest articles and stories on India at LatestLY. In a major move to tighten regulatory control over the distribution of liquid medications, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has amended the Drugs Rules, 1945, withdrawing the licensing exemption previously granted for the sale of cough syrups in small villages.
New Delhi, [India], June 16 (ANI): In a major move to tighten regulatory control over the distribution of liquid medications, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has amended the Drugs Rules, 1945, withdrawing the licensing exemption previously granted for the sale of cough syrups in small villages.
The amendment, notified via Gazette Notification G.S.R. 927 (E), omits the word "Syrup" from Schedule K, Serial No. 13, Entry 7, effectively ending an era where smaller habitations could retail these formulations without stringent oversight, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said in a statement.
Before this crucial regulatory intervention, Schedule K of the Drugs Rules allowed the sale of cough syrups in villages with a population of fewer than 1,000 individuals without requiring compliance with standard retail sale licensing provisions. With the new notification, any sale or dispensing of cough syrups in these rural pockets must strictly happen through duly licensed pharmacies.
The official statement from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare highlighted the core objective behind the move, stating, "The amendment has been undertaken to strengthen regulatory oversight of syrup formulations and to align the exemption framework with contemporary public health and safety requirements."
Also Read | Nashik Weather on Tuesday, June 16, 2026: Expect Warm Conditions With Scattered Afternoon Showers.
"The measure is expected to promote responsible distribution and sale of cough syrups while ensuring greater compliance with regulatory standards across the country," the Ministry added in its official notification.
Following the publication of the extraordinary gazette, the government has issued a stern directive to the pharmaceutical supply chain to ensure immediate transition and compliance.
"Manufacturers, distributors and retailers dealing with cough syrups are advised to ensure strict adherence to the applicable licensing and regulatory requirements under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and the Drugs Rules, 1945," the Ministry stated. (ANI)
(The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)