Kerala has suspended the sale and distribution of Coldrif cough syrup within the state, according to Health Minister Veena George. This decision was prompted by reports from other states that raised concerns about the syrup.
A preliminary investigation by the Kerala State Drugs Control Department revealed that the specific batch of Coldrif syrup flagged in the reports was not sold in Kerala. However, to ensure public safety, the decision was made to halt the sale and distribution of all Coldrif syrup in the state.
"Instructions have been issued to suspend the sale of Coldrif syrup through medical stores as well," stated Minister George. The Drugs Control Department is conducting thorough inspections throughout the state and has collected samples of Coldrif syrup, along with other cough syrups, for examination.
This action follows reports of child deaths in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan that have been linked to cough syrups. In response to these incidents, the Union Health Ministry has issued an advisory to all states and union territories, recommending that cough and cold medicines should not be prescribed to children under the age of two. Minister George has also stated that medical stores have been instructed not to dispense cough syrup to children under two years of age, even with a prescription, aligning with the Central Director General of Health Services (DGHS) guidelines.
Notably, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has banned the sale of Coldrif cough syrup in his state. Furthermore, the sale of other products from the same manufacturing company is also prohibited in Madhya Pradesh. Samples of the syrup were tested and reportedly found to contain 48% toxic substances.
The manufacturing facility for Coldrif syrup is located in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu. The Tamil Nadu government has also banned the sale of Coldrif syrup and ordered the removal of all stock from the market. Inspections have been carried out at the manufacturing facility, and samples have been collected for further laboratory testing.
The Union Health Ministry has confirmed that Coldrif cough syrup from Sresan Pharma's Kanchipuram unit contained diethylene glycol (DEG) above permissible limits. Diethylene glycol contamination has been cited as a potential cause for the child deaths.
In Rajasthan, the state health department has suspended the distribution of all batches of Dextromethorphan-based medicines and has stopped medicines from other pharmaceutical companies supplying this drug. The Drug Controller in Rajasthan, Rajaram Sharma, has also been suspended for allegedly influencing determinations of drug quality standards.
