Uttar Pradesh Bans Cough Syrup Linked to Child Deaths

Uttar Pradesh Government Takes Action

On Monday, Uttar Pradesh's Deputy Chief Minister, Brajesh Pathak, announced a ban on a cough syrup associated with multiple child fatalities. The state government has prohibited the sale of Coldrif cough syrup to prevent further harm and has issued an advisory urging the public to refrain from consuming such products. Pathak expressed his sorrow over the tragic loss of young lives due to the syrup, stating, "Our government has never procured such cough syrup. We have also advised the citizens against its consumption and implemented a ban on it."

Health Ministry Confirms Toxic Ingredients

This ban follows confirmation from the Health Ministry regarding the presence of diethylene glycol (DEG) in Coldrif cough syrup manufactured by Sri San Pharma in Tamil Nadu, exceeding permissible limits. DEG is a toxic substance commonly used in industrial solvents and can be lethal even in small amounts. To identify quality control issues and suggest improvements, risk-based inspections have commenced across six states.

Recent Deaths Prompt Widespread Advisory

An official reported that at least 14 individuals in Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh, have died after allegedly consuming the cough syrup, with eight children hospitalized. Following this incident, several states, including Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Telangana, and Kerala, issued advisories banning Coldrif cough syrup. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has initiated an investigation against Sri San Pharmaceuticals, the manufacturer of Coldrif syrup, and will take necessary actions.

Guidelines for Safe Medication Use

The Health Ministry has instructed states to ensure the rational use of medications and has released guidelines for administering cough syrup to children. The Assistant Drug Administration Commissioner in Uttar Pradesh has directed all drug inspectors to collect samples of the cough syrup produced by Sri San Pharmaceuticals from both public and private institutions across the state. These samples will be sent to a laboratory in Lucknow for testing.