Advisory on Rational use of Cough Syrups in Paediatric Population-reg. (English)

E.S.I.C. कर्मचारी राज्य बीमा निगम (श्रम एवं रोजगार मंत्रालय, भारत सरकार) EMPLOYEES' STATE INSURANCE CORPORATION (Ministry of Labour & Employment. Govt. of India) मुख्यालय Headquarters' पंचदीप भवनसी आईजी रोड, नई दिल्ली -110002 PANCHDEEP BHAWAN, CIG MARG,NEW DELHI-110 002 Phone. 011-23604700 Email dir-gen@esic nic.in Website. www.esic.nic.in/www.esiC IN U-25/12/Misc./2024-MedV (E-771310)/520 To, Director (Medical) Delhi / Director (Medical) Noida, Dean, All ESIC PGIMSR's, Medical & Dental Colleges Medical Superintendents - All ESIC Hospitals, Directors, ESI Scheme, All States 07-10-2025 Sub: Advisory on Rational use of Cough Syrups in Paediatric Population-reg. Ref: Recent advisory dated 03.10.2025 issued from MoH&FW, Gol for implementation and disseminate information across health institutions. Sir/Madam, Reference captioned subject, kind attention is drawn towards the recent advisory dated 03.10.2025 issued by Director General of Health Services, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India. In this instruction, it has been emphasised to ensure rational drug use and patient safety in paediatric care and reiterating the judicious prescribing and dispensing of cough syrups for children (copy enclosed). In this context, Head of the respective Institution is hereby directed to: 1. Circulate the advisory dated 03.10.2025 issued by Director General of Health Services, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India. 2. Sensitise Patients regarding adherence to prescription by the Doctors & 3. other supportive measures like adequate hydration, rest etc. Educate Medical Officers/Nursing Officer/Pharmacy Officer etc. under your kind control to prescribe/dispense cough and cold medications in line with the instructions dated 03.10.2025 issued by Director General of Health Services, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India. It is the sole responsibility of the Head of the Institution to implement the above instructions & to ensure prescribing/dispensing of cough and cold medications drugs rationally by Medical Officers etc. under your kind control. This is for your kind information and mandatory compliance at your end. This issues with the approval of Medical Commissioner (Procurement). Encl: As above Copy for information/Coordination to: Yours Sincerely Digitally signed by Sanjiv Kochhar Date: 08-10-2025 12:13:16 Deputy Medical Commissioner (RC) 1.PPS to Director General/Financial Commissioner/Insurance Commissioner HQ 2.PPS to MC(MA), MC (PC/RC/SST) MC(ME), MC (Ayush) ESIC HQ 3. Medical Commissioner -North, South, East, West and North East zone 4. Website Content Manager for publication on Hqrs website. To F.No.28025/52/2025-SAS.I/EMR Government of India Ministry of Health & Famly Welfare Directorate General of Heaith Services Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi-110011 Dated 3r" October. 2025 The Director Health Services. All States Union Tetones. Sub. Advisory on Rational Use of Cough Syrups in Paediatric Population- reg. Sir/Madam In our continucus efforts to ensure rational drug useand patient safety in paediatric care this advisory reiterates the judicious prescribing and dispensing of cough syrups for children Most acute cough illnesses in children are self-limiting and often resolve without pharmacological intervention 2 Cough and cold medications should not be prescribed or dispensed to children under 2 years. These are generally not recommended for ages below 5 years and above that any use should follow careful clinical evaluation with close supervision and strict adherence to appropriate dosing, the shortest effective duration and avoiding multiple drugs combinations Further, the public may also be sensitized regarding adherence to prescrption by the Doctors 3. Non-pharmacological measures, including adequate hydration, rest. supportive measures should be the first-line approach 4. All healthcare facilities and clinical establishments must ensure procurement and dispensing of products manufactured under Good Manufacturing Practices and formulated with pharmaceutical-grade excipients Sensitization of prescribers and dispensers across public and private sectors is essential to uphold these standards of care 5. It is requested that the all State/UT Health Departments, District Health Authornities, and all Clinical Establishments/healthcare facilities under your jurisdiction should implement and disseminate this advisory across government dispensaries, PHCs. CHCs, district hospitals, and medical institutions. Yours faithfully. Ithar (Dr. Sunita Sharma) DGHS Copy to 1. Drug Controller General of India, CDSCO 2 All State Drug Controllers 4 AS & MD, MoHFW, Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi. 3. PSO to Secretary (Health & Family Welfare), MoHFW, Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi 5. All Institution Heads of Central Government Hospitals 6 Directors of all AlIMS 7. Directors of PGI Chandigarh, JIPMER Puducherty 8. All Regional Directors, RoHFW. ShSavil 6/10/25 1