The Union Health Ministry is proposing amendments to drug rules, including removing "syrup" from Schedule K, to tighten over-the-counter sales of cough syrups. This follows the deaths of 22 children in Madhya Pradesh linked to contaminated cough syrups. Schedule K currently exempts certain household remedies, including cough syrups, from stringent licensing for sales in small villages if no licensed dealer is nearby. The proposed changes aim to enhance regulatory oversight for these medications.