Rational drug use vital to protect child health: Dr Rasheed
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By RK News
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06 Oct 2025
SRINAGAR, OCT 06: Secretary, Health and Medical Education, Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah on Monday stressed the importance of rational medication use in children and called for strict compliance with national paediatric drug guidelines across Jammu and Kashmir. He was speaking while chairing a high-level meeting at the Civil Secretariat in Srinagar, following a recent advisory issued by the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
The advisory from the central ministry has cautioned against prescribing or dispensing cough and cold medications to children below two years of age. In this context, the Health Secretary underlined the urgent need to promote rational drug use and ensure patient safety in paediatric care throughout the Union Territory.
The meeting was attended by Commissioner, Food and Drugs Administration J&K, Smita Sethi; Heads of the Departments of Paediatrics from all Government Medical Colleges of Jammu and Kashmir; and senior officers from the Divisional and District-level Drugs Control Organisation.
Dr. Abid Rasheed directed all medical professionals, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and drug regulatory authorities to strictly adhere to national guidelines and best practices in paediatric prescribing. He noted that the overuse and misuse of medications, particularly in children, can lead to serious health risks, and must be addressed through a coordinated regulatory and awareness-driven approach.
During the discussion, the Heads of Paediatrics Departments stated that such medications are generally not advisable for children under five years of age. For older children, they recommended cautious use only under medical supervision, following a proper clinical evaluation and strict dosage guidelines, while avoiding multiple drug combinations.
The advisory issued by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has highlighted that most acute cough illnesses in children are self-limiting and usually resolve without pharmacological intervention. The emphasis, the officials noted, should be on judicious and evidence-based prescribing.
At the outset of the meeting, the Health Secretary directed pharmaceutical manufacturers in J&K to strictly comply with WHO-GMP standards and to carry out complete impurity profiling of their products in line with the latest pharmacopeial requirements. The Drugs Control Officers were instructed to raise awareness among chemists and pharmacists about the risks of over-the-counter sale of cough and cold syrups and to take strict measures to prevent it.
The officers were further directed to regularly sample and test such products under Section 23 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, to ensure their safety and quality. Any violation of these standards, the Secretary warned, would invite strict penal action, including the suspension or cancellation of licenses under Rule 66 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules.
In a strong message to the public, the Health Department has advised parents and caregivers to refrain from self-medicating children and to always consult qualified doctors or paediatricians before administering any cough or cold syrups.
Dr. Abid Rasheed also instructed all field officers and medical institutions to ensure strict implementation of these guidelines across Jammu and Kashmir. He reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting child health, preventing the misuse of medications, and promoting rational and evidence-based paediatric care throughout the region.
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