Cough syrup sales only at Osu Sala

Nadira Gunatilleke

Cough syrups containing Codeine, Dextromethorphan, Pholcodeine and Dihydrocodeine can only be sold through state Osu Sala outlets.

No private pharmacies will be allowed to sell cough syrups containing these chemicals. Cough syrups containing those chemicals can be sold only on prescriptions issued by qualified and experienced MBBS doctors from April 19, a Health Ministry spokesman said.

The spokesman said this decision was taken by the Cosmetic Devices and Drugs Technical Advisory Committee.

“Permission had been granted to sell tablets and syrups containing Ephedrine and Pseudoephedrine only until the existing stocks lasts. The time frame given to complete the sale of existing stocks is three months. Traders will have to sell their products or remove them from the market within three months. Action will be taken against pharmacies selling these products after the stipulated time,” he said.

He said in the future, only oral antihistamine drugs, oral antitussive drugs, oral nasal decongestants, oral antitussives and bronchodilaters will be registered by the Cosmetic Devices and Drugs Authority.