New Delhi, Sept. 19 -- India is considering mandatory warning labels on cough syrup bottles to discourage their use in children below four years of age, months after a government advisory cautioned against prescribing such medicines to very young children.

The proposal calls for a prominent red warning stating that cough syrup should not be used in children below four. It also suggests adding a pictorial depiction of school-age children to make clear that the medicine is intended for older children.

The proposal was considered at a meeting chaired by Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) on Friday, 18 September, according to two officials and a document reviewed by Mint.

The move follows repeated complaints about cough and cold form...