Cough syrup
Cough syrups which are supposed to alleviate a distressful cough are being used as a drug of addiction. Many young people are addicted to it. This is spreading at an alarming rate in urban, suburban as well as rural areas of the country. It is very disheartening to watch young men entering medicine shops and asking for cough syrup, some even don't bother to make an excuse and take away a few bottles of them together with tranquilliser tablets of their choice.
During the Ershad regime a drug law came into effect and all unnecessary drugs including cough syrups were banned. I think this was one of the contributions of Mr. H.M. Ershad to the nation. But a few years after the fall of his regime, some of the reputed pharmaceutical companies managed to procure license for producing cough syrups. Only a small number of these syrups are sold as per prescription.
The authorities concerned should address the issue in the greater interest of the nation.
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