Cough Syrup: Ban imposed in Tamil Nadu, drug controller suspended in Rajasthan; what happened in the cough syrup case?

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 ordered its removal from the market. The sale of cough syrup manufactured by this Chennai-based company has been banned throughout Tamil Nadu.

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

Cough Syrup Banned

The Tamil Nadu government has banned the sale of the cough syrup "Coldrif" and issued an order to remove it from the market. The Food Safety Department stated that its production and sale are completely banned in the state from October 1st. The production plant in the Kanchipuram district was inspected, and samples were collected. The company has been banned from producing the syrup until the test results are received from a government lab.

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

Rajasthan Government Action

The Rajasthan government has also taken action regarding the "Coldrif" cough syrup. Taking action, the Rajasthan government has suspended the drug controller and halted the distribution of medicines manufactured by the Jaipur-based company, Kesons Pharma. Officials stated that the Medical and Health Department has banned the supply of all 19 medicines manufactured by Kesons Pharma until further notice. The distribution of all other cough syrups containing dextromethorphan has been suspended.

Health Ministry Issues Directive

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

Allegations of Addition of Brake Oil Solvent to Cough Syrup

Senior Madhya Pradesh Congress leader Kamal Nath has blamed the addition of 'brake oil solvent' to cough syrup for the deaths of children suffering from suspected kidney disease in Chhindwara district since September 7. Meanwhile, the Health Ministry has ordered the company to halt production of the syrup at its facility until laboratory reports are received.