In a breakthrough step towards safeguarding infant and toddler health, the Government of India has formally prohibited the use of some commonly found over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medicines in children below the age of four. This policy move, as notified by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare through a gazette notification, prohibits the use of a fixed-dose combination (FDC) of Chlorpheniramine Maleate and Phenylephrine Hydrochloride—two ingredients found in many pediatric cough syrups.

The decision follows an increasingly vocal global health chorus of alarm at the safety of these products among very young children, India now being among the latest to make strong regulatory moves.

The fixed-dose combination in question has been used to alleviate symptoms of the common cold and allergic rhinitis for a long time. Nonetheless, after reviewing the same, a Subject Expert Committee (SEC) constituted by the Central Government with suggestions from the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) opined that this combination is likely to produce risks for children under four years of age—risks overweighing possible benefits.

As per the Health Ministry's statement, "the use of the fixed-dose combination is likely to pose risk to children under the age of four, and safer options to the aforementioned drug are in place."

The government used Section 26A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, to limit the production, sale, and supply of these formulations for pediatric administration in India.

What Are These Drugs?

The now-restricted combination consists of two commonly prescribed ingredients:

Chlorpheniramine Maleate: An antihistamine that operates by inhibiting histamine receptors in the body, relieving symptoms such as sneezing, watery eyes, and runny nose.

Phenylephrine Hydrochloride: A decongestant that constricts blood vessels in the nostrils to narrow them and improve breathing.

Collectively, they've had different brand names and are household essentials in all Indian homes for treating cold as well as allergy conditions. The preparations, though usually safe for adults and older kids, are found to be potentially unsafe for toddlers.

Why the Risk is Greater for Toddler?

Infants under the age of four are at greater risk for side effects due to their immature organ systems and lower body weight. Even normal doses can produce exaggerated physiological effects.

Drowsiness, restlessness, dizziness, or even paradoxical excitation (hyperactivity rather than sedation) can result from chlorpheniramine and be particularly hazardous in infants.

Phenylephrine is a stimulant that can raise blood pressure, induce palpitations, and produce headaches. Its vasoconstricting effect, while useful in nasal decongestion, can impose excessive strain on a child's cardiovascular system.

All these compounds, when used in combination, have an intricate pharmacological profile that can do unintended damage if taken without tight medical surveillance.

Apart from prohibiting the mixture for children under four, the government has asked manufacturers to put a clear warning label on all packaging, inserts, and advertising materials.

The warning that must be used is: This fixed-dose combination shall not be used in children below four years of age.

This choice isn't just a one based on regulation but rather an educational choice as well, trying to notify parents, caregivers, and healthcare workers of the danger of self-medicating infants and toddlers outside of a physician's recommendation.

Are There Safer Alternatives?

Yes, the prohibition is the result of the availability of safer, more targeted alternatives. Pediatricians frequently suggest utilizing saline nasal drops, humidifiers, or warm liquids to relieve cold symptoms in children. In more severe instances, medications targeting specific symptoms are prescribed under close dosage control.

It's crucial to keep in mind that a majority of colds are viral infections that naturally go away by themselves. Medicating symptoms with aggressive medication, particularly in kids under four years old, more often than not causes more damage than good.

What Should Parents Do Now?

• Talk to pediatricians before administering any OTC cold or allergy medication to kids.
• Don't use leftover or adult-strength formulas, even in reduced amounts.
• Read labels before buying drugs and look for the new government-required warning.
• Watch for side effects if the drug has already been taken and obtain instant medical care for any side effects.

India's regulatory action reflects worldwide thinking. Other nations such as the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. had earlier issued guidelines or warnings concerning the use of OTC cough and cold medicines among young children.

In the United States, the FDA recommends against administration of cold drugs to children less than two and cautions against even those two to six. Likewise, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has cautioned against the use of OTC cough and cold medicines in kids less than four years old as a matter of long-standing concern regarding insufficient benefit and possible risks.

India's move is consistent with this evidence-based strategy, reinforcing the global push toward child-specific formulations, careful monitoring, and public health education.

The prohibition on children under four using cough syrup combinations is an important step towards more rational and safer use of drugs in pediatric care. As greater awareness emerges regarding the subtleties of treating younger children, particularly in non-clinical environments, policy like this one serves to protect the most vulnerable groups.

For parents, the message is simple: drugs that are effective for adults or older kids are not necessarily safe for toddlers. If it's questionable, always call a physician.

After a day of heavy rain, Delhi is facing a serious health concern, a sharp rise in mosquito-borne illnesses. With waterlogged streets and poor drainage, malaria cases have hit a five-year high. According to the latest data, 135 cases were reported from January 1 to August 2, marking the highest number for this period in the last five years.

What Areas In Delhi Are Seeing A Rise In Malaria Cases?

The city of Delhi is seeing a worrying increase in malaria cases. The West Zone of the city has been hit the hardest, with 30 confirmed cases. This recent data comes from different parts of Delhi, including areas managed by the New Delhi Municipal Council, Delhi Cantt, and Indian Railways.

As of August 2nd, the number of malaria cases has been growing year after year, with this year’s total of 135 cases being the highest in the last five years for the same period. City officials say this is happening because of a "perfect environment for mosquitoes to breed." They have found that common places where mosquitoes are growing include water-filled coolers, flower pots, drums, and even old tires left on rooftops.

Vector-Borne Diseases Also a Concern

Malaria is a serious, life-threatening disease common in tropical countries. It is spread to people through the bite of certain types of infected mosquitoes. The good news is that malaria is both preventable and curable. Unfortunately, malaria isn't the only mosquito-related problem. Two other diseases carried by mosquitoes are also on the rise:

Chikungunya: So far this year, there have been 20 cases. The West and Central Zones of the city have each reported five cases. This is a noticeable jump from previous years, with a total of 267 cases reported in all of 2024.

Dengue: The city has also seen 291 cases of dengue. The Central Zone has the most cases, with 39. Last year, 11 people sadly died from this disease.

To fight this problem, health officials have been inspecting homes. They've found that mosquitoes are breeding in over 100,000 houses and have sent out around 76,000 legal notices to residents to clean up these spots.

Why Should Malaria Be A Cause Of Concern For People?

According to IJID Regions journal, Malaria remains a significant health challenge in India, with about 1.3 billion people at risk and over 180,000 cases reported in 2022. The Indian government has been working hard to control and reduce the number of malaria cases. This report looked closely at these efforts and found that several programs have been successful.

The Urban Malaria Scheme, which focuses on 131 cities, and the Intensified Malaria Control Project, which targets seven high-risk areas, have both been very effective.

A newer plan, the National Framework for Malaria Elimination, has also helped reduce cases in states like Odisha, which was once a major hotspot for the disease.

How to Stay Safe from Malaria?

If you think you have malaria, it's essential to get tested right away with a simple blood test. Early treatment can stop a mild case from becoming severe. Doctors will prescribe specific medicines based on the type of malaria and the person's age and health.

A major challenge in fighting malaria today is that the parasites and mosquitoes are becoming resistant to our medicines and insecticides. Scientists are working on new solutions, like new-generation mosquito nets and updated treatment plans, to combat this resistance and keep the disease under control.

You can protect yourself from malaria by avoiding mosquito bites and taking special medication, especially if you are traveling to an area where malaria is common. To avoid mosquito bites:

• Use mosquito nets when you sleep
• Wear protective clothing like long sleeves and pants.
• Use mosquito repellent on your skin.
• Install screens on your windows and doors.

The spread of COVID-19 is picking up speed this summer in the US. The key indicator of the virus shows that it's becoming more active, according to the latest data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

How Are The Levels Of COVID Being Measure?

The CDC has a great way of tracking viruses: by checking our wastewater. This is a very helpful tool because it can find signs of the virus spreading in a community even before people start feeling sick and go to the doctor. In a recent update, the CDC reported that the amount of COVID-19 found in wastewater across the country has gone up from a "low" level to a "moderate" level.

This is a clear sign that the virus is becoming more common. The data also shows that the highest levels of the virus are currently in the Western part of the country. States like Alaska, California, Colorado, Nevada, and Utah are seeing the most activity. If you live in one of these areas, it's a good idea to be a little more careful, as the risk of getting infected is higher.

Other data also confirms the increase in cases. As of Tuesday, the CDC estimates that infections are growing or likely growing in 45 states, a jump from 40 states the previous week.

This late-summer rise is being driven in part by a new variant, XFG, or "Stratus," which is now the third-most common strain in the U.S. The variant was first found in Southeast Asia in January but didn't become a major presence in the U.S. until May. By late June, it was estimated to account for up to 14% of cases.

What Is The Current Strain Of COVID Affecting The US?

The World Health Organization explains that a new COVID-19 variant, called XFG, is now being watched closely by health experts around the world. Gavi vaccine alliance explains that Two new variants are now getting attention from scientists: NB.1.8.1, nicknamed "Nimbus," and XFG, nicknamed "Stratus."

Both variants are spreading very quickly. Since early 2025, they have spread across the globe. For example, XFG accounted for 25% of cases in Europe by late May, while NB.1.8.1 was at 11% in late April.

However, despite their rapid spread, experts say there's no evidence that these variants cause more severe illness, hospitalizations, or deaths than other versions of the virus.

XFG ("Stratus") is good at evading our immune system. It has specific mutations that help it dodge antibodies, making it harder for our bodies to fight off. However, it doesn't seem to be as good as NB.1.8.1 at infecting cells.

Is Stratus COVID Strain Dangerous?

WHO explains that the number of XFG cases is rising around the world. It’s now found in 38 countries and is growing quickly, especially in parts of Asia, the Americas, and Europe. In some countries, like India, XFG has become the main variant.

Despite this increase, experts believe the global risk of XFG is low. Early data suggests that this variant doesn’t cause more severe illness or lead to more deaths than other variants currently spreading.

Do Vaccines Work for Stratus COVID Strain?

Experts believe that the current COVID-19 vaccines will still be effective against XFG. They are expected to protect people from getting seriously sick or needing to go to the hospital.

While some countries in Southeast Asia have seen more cases and hospitalizations at the same time as XFG became more common, it's not clear if the variant itself is causing this. It's too early to say for sure how big this new wave of cases will get.

What Are The Key Symptoms of Stratus?

Doctors have reported that a standout symptom some patients with XFG have experienced a "hoarseness" feeling of scratchiness in their throat. Other symptoms include common issues like fever, chills, dry cough, fatigue, muscle ache, nasal congestion, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.

Although XFG is spreading quickly, it doesn't appear to be more dangerous. The WHO continues to monitor them closely to see if that changes.

DFA Dairy Brands, LLC has recalled 324 cartons of Friendly’s 48 fl. oz. Cookies & Cream ice cream after they were incorrectly packaged in Vanilla Bean cartons that did not list soy and wheat as ingredients. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned that people with allergies to soy or wheat risk serious or potentially life-threatening reactions if they consume the product.

The recalled products, stamped with a best-by date of November 26, 2025, made their way to stores in Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania.

This Is Not Just a Label Problem

Wheat Allergy

Wheat can hide in places you would not expect, from soy sauce and hot dogs to ice cream. It is also possible for some people to only react if they exercise within a few hours of eating wheat, a rare but dangerous condition known as wheat-dependent, exercise-induced anaphylaxis.

If you are allergic, your best defence is total avoidance, which sounds simple until you discover wheat proteins lurking in crackers, couscous, natural flavourings, and even certain cosmetics.

Soy Allergy

Reactions can be fast (IgE-mediated) or delayed (non-IgE-mediated). Quick reactions can trigger symptoms like hives, tightness in the throat, coughing, nausea, or anaphylaxis—a rapid, potentially fatal drop in blood pressure and breathing capacity. Slower reactions might mean stomach cramps, indigestion, or skin irritation over hours or days.

And soy is everywhere: tofu, soy sauce, vegetable broth, miso, protein powders, nut butters, and yes, even some ice creams. Avoiding it takes a sharp eye on labels, which is why a misprint like this is more than a minor oversight.

Anaphylaxis in the Middle of Dessert

Why This Recall Matters

For manufacturers, this case is a stark reminder that packaging checks must be airtight. For consumers, it is proof that allergen vigilance is not optional. Double-checking labels, even on trusted brands, can make the difference between a safe snack and a health crisis.

If You Bought the Affected Ice Cream