The Aga Khan University Hospital has announced that its hospitals will no longer prescribe cough syrup to patients, citing the outweighed side effects compared to the benefits. According to studies, cough syrup has been found to cause various adverse effects, including vomiting, high blood pressure, elevated heart rate, constipation, excessive sleep, and hallucinations.

In response to these findings, several insurance companies have declared that they will no longer approve the use of cough syrups for medical purposes. Consequently, these medicines will be excluded from the lists of medications covered by insurers. The decision to discontinue the use of cough syrup follows studies indicating that its effectiveness is questionable for both adults and children, with experts warning that the potential risks outweigh the perceived relief.

The Aga Khan University Hospital stated in a report that cough mixtures have been found to be ineffective and even potentially addictive, with the World Health Organization issuing a warning against their use. Dr. Edwin Ouma, a medic based in Mombasa, supported the ban and emphasized that cough syrups can cause various ailments.

While acknowledging that there are some effective cough syrups, Dr. Ouma stated that he does not prescribe certain types to patients and would adhere to any guidelines set by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board if a blanket ban were to be implemented.

In January 2023, the World Health Organization called for urgent action to protect children from contaminated medicines after over 300 children lost their lives in 2022 due to cases linked to cough syrups. Studies had revealed that many cough syrups contained high levels of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol, toxic chemicals used as industrial solvents and antifreeze agents, which should never be present in medications.

The decision by the Aga Khan University and the concerns raised by the World Health Organization highlight the importance of ensuring the safety and efficacy of medications, particularly in the case of cough syrups, to protect patients from potential harm.