Government Issues Advisory on Cough Syrups Amid Child Deaths in India
Government Response to Cough Syrup Concerns
New Delhi: In light of recent reports linking cough syrups to the tragic deaths of 11 children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, the Indian government has issued a directive to all states and union territories. This advisory emphasizes the need for careful and rational use of cough syrups among children.
The unfortunate incidents involved nine fatalities in Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh, and two in Rajasthan—one each in Bharatpur and Sikar—due to counterfeit cough syrup consumption.
Despite claims of contamination with Diethylene Glycol (DEG) or Ethylene Glycol (EG), substances known to harm kidneys, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has confirmed that the cough syrups in question were not tainted with these hazardous chemicals.
This assurance follows an investigation conducted by a collaborative team from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), National Institute of Virology (NIV), and the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), among others. The team collected and tested various syrup samples in conjunction with state officials.
According to the test findings, none of the samples tested positive for DEG or EG, which are associated with severe kidney damage. Additionally, the Madhya Pradesh State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) corroborated these results by testing three samples and confirming the absence of these contaminants.
Blood and cerebrospinal fluid samples were also analyzed by NIV Pune for common pathogens, revealing one case of Leptospirosis. Further investigations are ongoing for water samples, entomological vectors, and respiratory specimens by NEERI, NIV Pune, and other laboratories, as the Ministry continues to explore all potential causes behind the reported cases.
In the advisory, Dr. Sunita Sharma, Director General of Health Services (DGHS), urged healthcare providers to use cough syrups judiciously in pediatric patients. She advised against prescribing cough and cold medications for children under two years of age.
Dr. Sharma noted that most acute coughs in children are self-limiting and typically resolve without medication. She further stated that such medications are generally not recommended for children under five years.
The use of cough syrups should be based on thorough clinical evaluation, with careful monitoring and strict adherence to proper dosing and duration, while avoiding multiple drug combinations.
Dr. Sharma also highlighted the importance of non-pharmacological approaches, such as ensuring adequate hydration, rest, and supportive care as the primary treatment strategy.
Lastly, she called on all healthcare facilities to ensure that products are sourced and dispensed in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practices and formulated with pharmaceutical-grade excipients.