Thiruvananthapuram: In the wake of the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) launching a nationwide crackdown on cough syrup manufacturers following the death of children in Madhya Pradesh, the Kerala Health Department on Thursday issued new technical guidelines for treating cough in children.

The department also released specific directives for the use and dispensing of medicines for young patients. The guidelines were framed based on recommendations from a three-member expert panel.

According to a PTI report, the guidelines detail the clinical approach and management of cough, types and duration of cough, diagnostic methods, dosage and safety considerations, non-pharmacological measures, and references to the Kerala Drugs Controller’s circular dated October 4, 2025.

As per the official release, pharmacists must strictly comply with the Drugs Controller’s directions. Special caution must be exercised while dispensing medicines for children, and healthcare providers must ensure that the medicines are not expired and are sourced only from manufacturers with valid quality assurance certificates.

Guidelines for the Public
The Health Department advised that cough is not a disease but a symptom, and self-medication should be strictly avoided. The guidelines for the public are as follows:

• Do not demand cough syrups or formulations; use them only on the advice of a paediatric specialist.
• Do not reuse leftover medicines or old prescriptions. A medicine prescribed for one child should never be given to another without consulting a doctor.
• Seek immediate medical attention if a child with cough shows warning signs such as chest pain, breathing difficulty, blood in sputum, extreme fatigue, seizures, cyanosis, or altered consciousness.
• Medicines prescribed by doctors should be used only in the specified dose and for the prescribed duration.

The guidelines further stipulate:

• Children below two years: Cough syrups must not be given.
• Children aged two to five: Their use should generally be avoided, unless specifically prescribed and closely monitored by a doctor.
• Children above five years: Cough medicines should be administered only after careful evaluation, in small doses and for short durations.

In its advisory to healthcare institutions, the department directed that all cough syrups distributed to patients must comply with manufacturing standards and be free from harmful contaminants such as Diethylene Glycol (DEG) and Ethylene Glycol (EG).

Health Minister Veena George said the comprehensive guidelines are intended for doctors, healthcare workers, pharmacists, and the public, and stressed that everyone must strictly adhere to them.