Srinagar- Despite a cough syrup crisis in mainland India, early snowfall in Kashmir's upper reaches and a sudden drop in temperature have made these medicines must-have for local parents this autumn. Shelves are emptied daily as families rush to pharmacies to treat children with coughs, sneezes, or mild fevers.

The surge comes even as the Union Health Ministry has warned states and union territories to use cough syrups carefully. Officials say most childhood coughs are self-limiting and rarely need medication.

Pediatricians in Kashmir echo the caution, emphasizing that overmedication can be harmful.

“Coughs and colds are common in winter, and most resolve within a week,” said Dr. Suhail Naik, assistant professor at the Government Children Hospital in Bemina.“Severity is not about the cough or fever. It is measured by danger signs such as difficulty breathing, rapid breathing, bluish lips or skin, and other serious symptoms.”

Despite these warnings, demand continues to surge.“Thousands of bottles are sold over the counter every day,” Dr. Naik added.

Many parents administer medicines without consulting a doctor, relying on previous prescriptions or advice from friends and relatives.

The combination of early snowfall, cold weather, and visible signs of coughing in children has made this practice routine.

Self-medication is widespread across the valley. A study conducted in south Kashmir from September 2021 to February 2022 surveyed 471 households to examine home medicine storage and practices. Most families earned less than 20,000 rupees per month, and nearly half were illiterate.

Commonly stored medicines included antibiotics, vitamins, painkillers, proton pump inhibitors, and cough syrups. Families often reused medicines, shared them, or gave drugs based on old prescriptions without medical guidance.

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