In 1956, Professor S.G. Scotti, a registered pharmacist and college professor with a doctorate in Chemistry and Pharmacology was moonlighting in various pharmacies when he noticed that diabetics were being given medications loaded with sugar. Being a diabetic himself, he thought this practice unwise and decided to create a sugar-free and alcohol-free cough/cold medicine for them.

The first Scot-Tussin came to be called the Original Multi-Action which is still at the forefront of the entire Scot-Tussin product line. He coined the phrase "Sugar-Free" in the 1950's.