Produced by: Mohsin Shaikh
More than 70% of adult cough cases in India are filed as “unspecified,” leaving doctors without clear guidance for treatment—and patients with vague prescriptions.
Over half of cough patients, regardless of type, walked away with antibiotics. Experts warn this reflex prescribing is fueling antimicrobial resistance at alarming rates.
Azithromycin tops the charts, followed by cefpodoxime and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid. But doctors admit these are often given out of routine rather than necessity.
The study reveals how India’s most common outpatient complaint is also its most poorly classified—highlighting a gaping hole in everyday clinical practice.
Unnecessary multi-ingredient syrups and antibiotics not only drive up healthcare bills but also leave patients exposed to avoidable side effects.
The global crisis of antimicrobial resistance gets worse with every unnecessary prescription, turning common infections into potential killers.
“This undermines patient care,” warns Dr. Agam Vora of the API, calling India’s cough-treatment patterns “alarming” and demanding strict rational prescribing.
Researchers say India urgently needs structured cough management—better classification, evidence-based guidelines, and strict documentation for safer outcomes.
Without reform, India risks turning its most routine outpatient visit into a breeding ground for drug resistance, wasted resources, and prolonged illness.