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The meeting directed all pharmaceutical manufacturers to strictly adhere to the revised Schedule M. It also threatened to revoke the licenses of factories violating the rules.
Cough syrup linked to child deaths, Centre responds
New Delhi: The Center has taken a tough stand on the deaths of children due to cough syrups. A high-level meeting with states has issued strict instructions.
The deaths of children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan due to the consumption of cough syrups have shocked the entire nation. Following this, the Central Government took a tough stand and held an important meeting with the Health Secretaries and Principal Secretaries of all states and union territories. The meeting, chaired by Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava, discussed the quality, safety, and correct use of the syrups.
The meeting directed all pharmaceutical manufacturers to strictly adhere to the revised Schedule M. It also threatened to revoke the licenses of factories violating the rules. The Center has also urged states to ensure limited and cautious use of cough syrups, especially among children, as most minor coughs resolve without medication.
How dangerous is diethylene glycol found in ‘Coldrif’ cough syrup? Click here for details
The situation regarding the cough syrup 'Coldrif' has become more serious. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has directed strict action against Sareshan Pharmaceuticals, the company that manufactures this drug. A letter has been written to the Tamil Nadu FDA, asking it to take action against the company under serious offenses. This decision was taken after several children died in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan due to this syrup.
The CDSCO has launched an investigation campaign across the country to identify suspicious drugs in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra. So far, samples of 19 drugs have been collected, including syrups, antibiotics, and fever and vomiting medications.
The central government has issued clear instructions that cough syrups should not be given to children under two years of age. For children under five, syrups should be used only on the advice of a doctor and in very limited quantities.
Doctor arrested in cough syrup scandal after 14 children die in Madhya Pradesh
According to a Telangana government report, a batch of 'Coldrif' syrup has been found to contain a toxic chemical called diethylene glycol (DEG), which causes kidney damage and can be fatal. Consequently, a warning has been issued to immediately discontinue the use of this drug.
The government is now determined to tolerate no negligence in this matter and is working to hold the pharmaceutical industry accountable through strict monitoring and strict action.
