India, June 16 -- Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has issued a notification which brings into effect that all "syrups", including cough syrups will no longer be available over the counter.

A prescription by a doctor will be required for the purchase of 'Syrups', according to a MoHFW notification dated June 9.

The draft notification regarding this was issued in December. Since no objection was made to the order by parties concerned, it has now officially been gazette notified.

The notification carries a key amendment to India's Drugs Rules, 1945, removing the word "Syrups" from a category of medicines that were exempt from certain regulatory provisions under Schedule K.

This means cough syrups and other syrup-based ...