Posted By :  Admin1

The Academy of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine (APCCM) has issued a press note aligning with the recent advisory from the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Government of India. The academy has urged healthcare professionals, pharmacists, and the public to adopt a rational and judicious approach toward the use of cough syrups.

According to APCCM, cough syrups should not be prescribed or consumed routinely for minor coughs and colds, as most cases are self-limiting and can be managed with rest, hydration, and steam inhalation. The statement emphasized avoiding irrational drug combinations, particularly in children, and recommended that only single-agent, evidence-based therapies be used when necessary.

The academy also advised against prescribing or dispensing cough syrups to children below two years, except under specific medical supervision. For older children and adults, it recommended usage only after careful clinical evaluation and for a short, effective duration, especially in conditions like asthma or allergic rhinitis.

APCCM stressed the importance of rational prescribing, urging clinicians to ensure that medicines are symptom-specific and evidence-based. It also called for stricter regulations to curb the proliferation of irrational fixed-dose combinations in cough syrups.Reaffirming its commitment to patient safety and evidence-based care, APCCM called upon all stakeholders—including doctors, pharmacists, and regulators—to promote responsible use of cough syrups and adopt rational therapeutic practices.