New Delhi: In Madhya Pradesh, grief-stricken families are haunted by how a mild cough and cold in their children spiralled into fatal kidney failure, raising urgent questions about the safety and necessity of cough syrups for young children.

A 2024 meta- analysis published in the Medical Journal Armed Forces India found that nearly 64 per cent of Indians self-medicate, with the highest rates reported in northern India. Cough and cold were among the most common ailments treated without prescription, often using cough syrups and antipyretics bought directly from local chemists.

The study noted that most people relied on pharmacists, old prescriptions, or family advice rather than doctors, citing financial constraints and unlimited access to healthcare. Researchers have shown that s

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