After a series of children deaths linked to contaminated cough syrups, the Centre is considering a major regulatory overhaul that could end over-the-counter access to these formulations and make a doctor’s prescription mandatory.

A proposal before the Drugs Consultative Committee (DCC) recommends removing cough syrups from Schedule K — the category that permits the sale of certain medicines without a licence, News18 reported. The agenda note asks the panel to review the exemption in light of "recent incidence due to contaminated cough syrup", referring to cases in which children suffered poisoning and acute kidney injury after consuming adulterated products, the report said.

Currently, Schedule K allows the sale of low-risk medicinal items such as syrups, lozenges, pills, and tablets for

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