Cough syrup case: Rajasthan suspends drug controller, Tamil Nadu bans 'Coldrif' after child deaths

Cough syrup case: After the deaths of around 12 children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, the Tamil Nadu government has banned the sale of cough syrup "Coldrif" and ordered its removal from the market. Following the unfortunate incident, the sale of the cough syrup, manufactured by the Chennai-based company, has been banned in Tamil Nadu.

Amid the cough syrup controversy, drug control officials from Delhi and Chennai inspected a manufacturing unit at a pharmaceutical plant in Kanchipuram. Meanwhile, the Rajasthan government has suspended the state drug controller and banned the sale of drugs manufactured by Jaipur-based company Kaysons Pharma.

Sale of 'Coldrif' cough syrup banned in Tamil Nadu

The Tamil Nadu government has banned the sale of the cough syrup "Coldriff." An order has also been issued to remove it from the market. The Food Safety Department stated that its manufacture and sale is completely prohibited in the state from October 1. The manufacturing unit in Kanchipuram district was inspected and samples were collected. The company has been banned from producing the syrup until the government lab reports the results of testing.

It is to be noted here that the pharmaceutical company, located in Sunguvarachatram, Kanchipuram district, supplies medicines to Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Puducherry. After the death of 12 children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, the Tamil Nadu government has banned the sale of the cough syrup "Coldrif."

Measures taken by Rajasthan govt

Rajasthan government has also taken strict action in connection with the 'Coldrif' cough syrup. The Rajasthan government has suspended the drug controller and halted the distribution of medicines manufactured by Jaipur-based company Kesons Pharma. Officials said the Medical and Health Department has banned the supply of all 19 medicines manufactured by Kesons Pharma until further orders. Distribution of all other cough syrups containing dextromethorphan has been banned.

Instructions Issued by Health Ministry

Taking cognizance of the child deaths, the Union Health Ministry on Friday issued a directive to all states and union territories, stating that cough and cold medicines should not be given to children below the age of two. The directive, issued by the Directorate General of Health Services, comes after the deaths of children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan due to allegedly contaminated cough syrup.

Allegations of mixing brake oil solvent in cough syrup

Senior Madhya Pradesh Congress leader Kamal Nath has blamed that "brake oil solvent" was mixed into the cough syrup causing the death of children. The Health Ministry has ordered the company to halt production of the syrup at its facility until laboratory reports are received.