New Delhi, Oct. 3 -- The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), on Friday, issued an advisory on the use of cough syrups, stating that it should not be given to children under the age of 2 years and "is not recommended" for kids below the age of 5 years. The advisory comes after the deaths of 11 children due to intake of allegedly contaminated cough syrups.

"Cough and cold medications should not be prescribed or dispensed to children under 2 years. These are generally not recommended for ages below 5 years and above that, any use should follow careful clinical evaluation with close supervision and strict adherence to appropriate dosing, the shortest effective duration and avoiding multiple drugs combinations. Further, the public ...