After Toxic Syrup Scares, Uttarakhand Makes Infant Paracetamol Prescription-Only
Dehradun: In a move to ensure child safety, the Uttarakhand government has placed infant paracetamol syrup under strict monitoring and made it mandatory for pharmacies to dispense it only against a valid doctor's prescription. The directive specifically applies to children under the age of four and aims to prevent misuse, overdosing, and the sale of unregulated formulations across the state.
The decision follows growing nationwide concern over the safety of liquid medicines for infants, especially after incidents of contaminated cough syrups prompted closer scrutiny of pediatric drugs. The Uttarakhand Drugs Control Department has also instructed officials to carry out surprise inspections at pharmacies and medical stores to ensure strict compliance with the new rule.
According to a recent media report by The Times of India, the Health Department has issued orders to all district drug inspectors to conduct state-wide checks on the sale of children’s paracetamol formulations. Pharmacies have been categorically told that they cannot sell paracetamol syrup meant for infants below four years without a prescription. The government has also directed the collection of drug samples for laboratory testing to monitor product quality and prevent circulation of substandard or unsafe syrups.
NewsPoint reports that the move is part of a preventive strategy to strengthen pharmacovigilance and prescription-based dispensing for pediatric medicines. Officials have warned that any violations identified during inspections may lead to penalties, suspension of licenses, or legal action under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.
Health authorities have emphasized that paracetamol syrup, while considered safe when administered correctly, can be dangerous if overdosed or misused in infants. Parents have been urged to consult pediatricians before giving any fever medication and to follow dosage guidelines strictly. The government has also asked pharmacies to prominently display warnings against dispensing the syrup without a valid prescription.
Inshorts' report added that this new policy forms part of a larger drive to ensure drug quality, prescription discipline, and patient safety across Uttarakhand. Officials clarified that the order does not restrict access to necessary medicines but aims to safeguard infants from inadvertent harm caused by unsupervised drug use.
The enforcement drive is expected to be monitored closely by the State Drug Controller and local health authorities in the coming weeks.
