India, June 16 -- Buying cough syrup without a doctor's prescription is no longer possible in India. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has changed the rules, making all syrup-based medicines prescription only. The new rule came into effect on June 9, 2026, under the Drugs Fifth Amendment Rules 2026. The change does not apply only to cough syrups. It covers all medicines sold in syrup form, including children's paracetamol syrups, antacid liquids, vitamin tonics and other liquid oral medicines. Here's what has changed, why the government made this decision and which medicines are affected.

Why Do Cough Syrups Now Need a Prescription?

The government introduced the new rule after several deaths linked to contaminated cough syrups i...