Hyderabad: Despite a ban by the Union health ministry, several pharmacies across Hyderabad are still selling commonly used cough syrups over-the-counter (OTC) without a doctor prescription. If that’s not all, they are even listed on quick e-commerce platforms — delivered at the doorstep in 10 mins or less.TOI visited multiple pharmacies in Khairatabad, Madhapur, Sanathnagar, Rasoolpura and other parts of the city on Monday, where representatives behind the counter were spotted readily handing out cough syrup bottles to customers. They neither asked for a doctor’s prescription nor enquired about the customer’s symptoms.Many pharmacy owners admitted that implementing the rule is difficult. “This is the flu season and most people come with common cough or cold symptoms asking for the same syrup they have used before. If we insist on a prescription every time, they simply walk into another pharmacy,” said K Suresh, a pharmacist in Khairtabad.Mohd Hassan, a pharmacist in Sanathnagar said regular customers expect medicines without prescriptions. “We have known many of them for years and are aware of their medical history, so we don’t always ask for a prescription,” he said.In June this year, the Centre amended the Drugs Rules, 1945, removing cough syrups from the list of medicines that could be sold over-the-counter. While cough tablets, lozenges and pills can still be purchased without a prescription, cough syrups now require a valid doctor’s prescription. The amendment follows global safety concerns.“This practice poses serious health risks, especially for children,” warned Dr Sivaranjani Santosh, pediatrician. She explained: “A cough is only a symptom and may be caused by viral infections, pneumonia, asthma or other illnesses. Pediatric cough syrups, particularly for children below four years, should not be given without a doctor’s advice. Overdosing can lead to breathing problems, abnormal heart rhythms and, in severe cases, coma.”The easy availability is not limited to neighbourhood pharmacies. TOI found that several online platforms continue to dispense prescription medicines after quick teleconsultations. “AI-generated or altered prescriptions are increasingly being uploaded online, making it harder to verify their authenticity,” said Dr Sree Bhushan Raju of NIMS.Members of the Telangana Chemists and Druggists Association (TCDA), said that it has sent advisories to pharmacies to discontinue this practice immediately. “We have even sent messages in Telugu so that they can reach pharmacists even in remote areas. While codeine-based and other habit-forming cough syrups are not being sold without prescriptions, commonly used non-codeine cough syrups continue to be available OTC. We have asked pharmacists to strictly follow the govt’s regulations,” said Krishna Kumar, treasurer of TCDA.Telangana has around 45,000 pharmacies, of which 15,000 are in Hyderabad.However, Sridhar Gupta, president of the Hyderabad Chemist and Druggist Association admitted to enforcement being a challenge. “Large pharmacies may comply with the rules, but implementation in smaller localities and towns is more difficult,” he said.QUOTEWe are conducting regular inspections and sensitising pharmacists. Around 500 pharmacies have been inspected and nearly 150 show-cause notices issued for various violations, including dispensing prescription medicines without valid prescriptions. Similar action will continue against violators. — official from Telangana Drugs Control Administration.INFO BOXSince 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued multiple alerts over India-made cough syrups contaminated with toxic chemicals. The products were linked to over 150 child deaths in The Gambia, Uzbekistan and Cameroon, while suspected cough syrup-related deaths in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan also prompted investigations.
