Guwahati, June 16 -- By NE NOW NEWS

Guwahati: In a significant regulatory change, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has amended the Drugs Rules, 1945, bringing syrup-based medicines under stricter control and ending their exemption from prescription requirements.

The amendment, notified through the Drugs (Fifth Amendment) Rules, 2026, removes "syrups" from Schedule K of the Drugs Rules. As a result, medicines in syrup form, including commonly used cough formulations, can no longer be sold over the counter (OTC) and will require a valid prescription from a registered medical practitioner.

The new rules have been issued under the authority granted to the Central Government by Sections 12 and 33 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 194...