Lopsided solution: On syrup-based medicines, doctor’s prescription

The article critically analyzes the Indian government's new policy requiring a doctor's prescription for syrup-based medicines, a measure introduced to restore confidence in India's pharmaceutical supply chain following over 300 child deaths globally due to ethylene glycol (EG) and diethylene glycol (DEG) contamination in India-made cough syrups. While the Union Health Ministry removed 'syrup' from Schedule K of the Drugs Rules 1945 to enforce this, the article argues it's a defensive rather than reformist solution. It highlights that the core issue is manufacturing quality control failures, inadequate raw material testing, and chronic understaffing of State drug controllers, rather than consumer access. The policy may reduce inappropriate use but won't prevent contaminated products from entering the market, as the government continues to tolerate the pharmaceutical lobby's resistance to stringent testing.