- India has banned the over-the-counter sale of cough syrups, now requiring a doctor's prescription for purchase, with the new rules effective immediately.
- This measure was enacted after dozens of children died in India and internationally due to contaminated Indian-made medication, prompting global scrutiny of the country's pharmaceutical industry.
- The World Health Organization has flagged seven Indian-made syrups linked to nearly 300 deaths globally since 2022, including 70 children in The Gambia.
- Investigations into these incidents revealed toxic contaminants such as diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol, industrial solvents not meant for medicinal use, in the syrups.
- The Indian Medical Association has welcomed the ban, stating that unregulated syrup sales contributed to substance abuse and posed serious health risks, especially to young children.
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