A government expert committee has rejected a proposal to allow images of infants, toddlers, toys, or similar child-oriented illustrations on cough syrup labels, citing the risk of misleading consumers about the medicines' intended age group. Instead, the committee has proposed a prominent warning in red on cough syrup bottles stating that the products should not be used in children below 4 years of age. The Drugs Consultative Committee (DCC) recently deliberated on the proposal, which originated within the committee, and agreed in principle to introduce a statutory age-restriction warning under Rule 96 of the Drugs Rules, 1945.

The government is considering the recommendation and may amend the rules to implement the proposed labeling requirement. The proposed warning reads: "WARNING: Cough syrup shall not be used in children below 4 years of age." The committee recommended that it be…