Pune: Patients Asked to Bring Bottles for Cough Syrup? FDA Directs PMC to End Practice

Pune, 18th July 2026: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has directed the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to stop dispensing cough syrup in bottles brought by patients and ointments in paper wrappers, stating that the practice is unhygienic and poses a potential health risk.

The observations were made during inspections at the PMC-run Shivshankar Pote Dispensary in Sahakarnagar and Kamla Nehru Hospital in Mangalwar Peth. The FDA has instructed the civic body to ensure that all liquid medicines and ointments are dispensed only in clean, appropriate containers.

PMC operates more than 60 outpatient departments (OPDs), 20 maternity homes, and two hospitals across the city. At several of these facilities, patients visiting OPDs have routinely been asked to bring an empty bottle from home if they require cough syrup. Similarly, ointments have often been dispensed in paper wrappers or containers brought by patients.

According to FDA officials, bottles and containers brought from home may not be properly cleaned or sterilised, making the practice unsafe. The agency has advised the PMC to provide suitable bottles and containers for dispensing medicines instead of relying on patients to bring their own.

Dr Nina Borade, PMC Health Officer, said the civic body has accepted the FDA’s recommendations and will procure empty bottles and appropriate containers for medicine distribution across its healthcare facilities.

“We conducted the inspection after receiving information that patients were being asked to bring bottles from home for cough syrup and that ointments were being dispensed in paper wrappers. Since such containers may not be hygienic, we want to put an end to this practice. No notice has been issued to the PMC so far. Further action, if required, will be decided after the inspection report is submitted,” said Girish Hukare, Joint Commissioner, FDA (Drugs Department).

Dr Sunil Andhale, In-charge Medical Administrative Officer, PMC, said the inspection was a routine exercise and no major violations, including the presence of expired medicines, were found.

“The FDA has instructed us to dispense cough syrup and ointments only in clean, properly packed bottles and containers. We will direct the central drug store to procure the required packaging materials and implement the new system across all civic health facilities,” he said.