Following the deaths of 12 children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, the Tamil Nadu government has completely banned the sale of 'Coldrif' cough syrup and issued directives for its removal from the entire market. The sale of this cough syrup, manufactured by a Chennai-based company, has been halted across Tamil Nadu.
NEW DELHI: Following recent child deaths in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, health authorities in India have taken strict measures regarding the safety of cough syrups. The Tamil Nadu government has imposed a complete ban on the sale of 'Coldrif' cough syrup, while the Rajasthan government has suspended the drug controller and halted the distribution of medicines from Jaipur-based 'Kasens Pharma'.
Following the incidents of 12 child deaths in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, the Tamil Nadu government has completely banned the sale of this syrup in its state. Directives have been issued to remove this cough syrup, manufactured by a Chennai-based company, from the market. The government stated that its manufacture and sale will be completely prohibited in the state from October 1.
Government Investigation and Inspection of Production Plant
Drug control officials from Chennai and Delhi inspected the pharmaceutical production plant located in Kanchipuram district. During this inspection, samples were collected and sent for testing to government laboratories. Production of this syrup has been halted until the reports are received. Medicines from this plant are supplied to Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Puducherry.
The Rajasthan government took immediate action regarding the cough syrup. The State Drug Controller was suspended, and the distribution of all 19 medicines manufactured by Jaipur-based Kasens Pharma was halted until further orders. Health officials stated that the distribution of all other cough syrups containing Dextromethorphan from Kasens Pharma's range has also been stopped.
According to the Rajasthan government, the objective of this action is to ensure the safety of children. The health department has warned against administering cough and cold medicines to children under two years of age.
Directive from the Union Health Ministry
The Union Health Ministry has also taken this matter seriously and issued directives to all states and union territories. The ministry clarified that special attention should be paid to the dosage of cough and cold medicines for children, and cough syrups containing Dextromethorphan should not be given to children under two years of age. Kamal Nath, a senior leader of Madhya Pradesh Congress, has accused that brake oil solvent was mixed in the cough syrup, leading to the deaths in Chhindwara district.
According to him, this suspicious ingredient caused kidney failure and deaths in several children. Following this allegation, the Health Ministry ordered the company to halt production until reports from the laboratories are received.
