All syrups, including cough syrups, are no longer available over-the-counter without a doctor's prescription, according to a notification released by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Customers must now have a legitimate prescription from a licensed physician in order to purchase any syrup formulation from pharmacies, according to the notification that went into force on Tuesday.
The action comes after the Department of Health and Family Welfare announced the Drugs (Fifth Amendment) Rules, 2026 on June 9. The announcement said that the regulations "shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette".The government said the amendment was notified after a draft of the proposed rules was published in December 2025 and objections and suggestions received from the public were considered.

The notification further stated that, using the authority granted by Sections 12 and 33 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, the Central Government "after consultation with the Drugs Technical Advisory Board" created the regulations.