India’s Ministry of Health has amended the Drugs Rules to make cough syrups and other syrup medicines prescription-only, ending their over-the-counter availability. Multiple outlets report that the change removes “syrups” from the category of medicines that can be sold without a doctor’s prescription. The Ministry finalizes an amendment to the relevant Drugs Rules through the Union government, with reporting that the decision follows consultation with stakeholders and consideration of public input. The move is described as part of efforts to address safety concerns related to contaminated cough syrups, which have been linked by reports to child fatalities in states including Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. The regulation requires customers to obtain a doctor’s prescription to purchase cough syrups and other syrup medicines, effective immediately according to one report. While the coverage focuses on cough syrups, the policy is presented as applying more broadly to syrup-based medicines that previously could be obtained without a prescription. The government’s stated aim is to strengthen control over the sale of these products under the Drugs Rules.