- Incorrect diagnosis and delayed treatment
- Antibiotic misuse and antimicrobial resistance
- Accidental overdose
- Harmful drug interactions
Dependence on certain cough syrup ingredients
By making syrups prescription-only, the government aims to ensure medicines are used only when medically necessary and in the correct dosage. “It feels like an important change, toward safer and more accountable medication use, you know. A lot of people kind of assume that syrups, especially cough and cold formulations, are harmless, mostly because they’re everywhere and used all the time. But these products can include active ingredients that are not ideal for every person, and that can matter a lot for kids, older adults, pregnant women, or even people who have other ongoing health issues,” Dr. Basavaraj S. Kumbar, Consultant – Internal medicine, Aster Whitefield Hospital, told Timesnow.in.