API MSC, Dr. Reddy's Announce August 29 as National Cough Day

The date marks the death anniversary of Dr. Ashok Mahasur, a pioneer in respiratory care and the founder of the Indian Chest Society, commemorating his invaluable contribution to advancing pulmonology in India. According to the European Respiratory Journal, nearly 30% of patients in India reported cough as the second most common symptom. Yet, misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment remain widespread due to the absence of standardized clinical guidelines. By introducing National Cough Day, API – MSC aims to address this critical gap by promoting evidence-based practices among healthcare professionals and improving patient outcomes.

Dr. Agam Vora, Hon. Joint Secretary, Association of Physicians of India – MSC said, “For far too long, cough has been considered a low-involvement health concern, often treated symptomatically rather than scientifically. Through National Cough Day, we aim to address the critical gap in the cough management in India and equip physicians with evidence-based guidelines, enabling early identification and diagnosis of different cough types based on symptoms, and initiating treatment with CDSCO-approved FDCs, to ensure better clinical outcomes. By commemorating Dr. Ashok Mahasur’s contributions, we also celebrate his vision of advancing respiratory care in the country."

Dr. Mangesh Tiwaskar, Advisor, Association of Physicians of India- MSC and Consultant Physician & Diabetologist, added, “National Cough Day is a forward-looking initiative that unites all stakeholders, including physicians to rethink how we approach cough management. With the launch of India’s first-ever evidence-based guidelines, we are setting a benchmark for standardized diagnosis and treatment practices, and we hope this translates into improved quality of life for millions of patients.”

“National Cough Day” has been conceptualized to bring seriousness to an often low-involvement area like cough by involving all stakeholders in the healthcare ecosystem, including doctors, patients, retailers, and caregivers. The initiative aims to spread awareness on better understanding and management of cough-related conditions across the country.