New Delhi, Oct 5 (IANS) — The Union government on Sunday directed states to ensure the rational use of cough syrups, particularly among children, noting that most coughs are self-limiting and do not require medicinal treatment. The move comes amid concerns over drug quality and recent reports of child deaths in Madhya Pradesh allegedly linked to contaminated cough syrups.
A high-level meeting was convened by the Health Ministry under Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava with all states and Union Territories to review compliance with drug quality norms and promote safe use of cough syrups, especially in paediatric populations. Health Minister J.P. Nadda had earlier instructed that the matter be discussed with states and UTs to ensure necessary actions.
The advisory follows reports from the Metropolitan Surveillance Unit (MSU) in Nagpur, set up under the Pradhan Mantri–Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM), which alerted the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) about a cluster of child deaths in Chhindwara district, Madhya Pradesh.
A Central team of experts, including epidemiologists, microbiologists, entomologists, and drug inspectors from NCDC, the National Institute of Virology (NIV), and the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), visited Chhindwara and Nagpur to investigate the cases. Clinical, environmental, entomological, and drug samples were collected and sent to laboratories including NIV Pune, the Central Drugs Testing Laboratory (CDTL) Mumbai, and NEERI Nagpur.
Preliminary findings ruled out common infectious diseases, except for one positive case of leptospirosis. Nineteen medicine samples consumed by children were collected from private practitioners and local retail stores. Laboratory analysis so far shows that nine out of ten samples meet quality standards. However, one cough syrup, ‘Coldrif’, was found to contain diethylene glycol (DEG) above permissible limits. Tamil Nadu FDA has taken regulatory action against the manufacturing unit in Kancheepuram, recommending cancellation of its licence, and criminal proceedings have been initiated.
The Health Secretary emphasised strict adherence to the Revised Schedule M by all drug manufacturers. States were urged to ensure rational prescription and administration of cough syrups in children, enhanced surveillance, timely reporting from both government and private health facilities, and wider dissemination of the IDSP-IHIP community reporting tool. Stronger inter-state coordination was also advised for early detection and joint action in response to unusual health events or outbreaks.
