New Delhi | October 3,2025 | SKY LINK TIMES
Cough Syrup Deaths:
The Union government on Friday issued an urgent advisory to all states and union territories regarding the rational use of cough syrups in children. The move follows reports of cough syrup deaths of 11 children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan allegedly linked to cough syrup consumption.
While parents feared contamination, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has clarified that no toxic substances such as Diethylene Glycol (DEG) or Ethylene Glycol (EG)—known to cause kidney damage—were found in the syrups tested.
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Govt Investigation Rules Out Contamination
A joint team comprising experts from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), National Institute of Virology (NIV), Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), and state authorities collected and tested multiple samples.
According to the Health Ministry, none of the samples contained DEG or EG. The Madhya Pradesh State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) also independently confirmed the absence of contamination.
Further, blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tests at NIV Pune showed one case of Leptospirosis, while other samples, including water and respiratory specimens, are still under investigation by NEERI and NIV Pune.
Advisory to States: “Rational Use” of Cough Syrups
The Director General of Health Services (DGHS), Dr. Sunita Sharma, in the advisory, stressed that most cough and cold illnesses in children are self-limiting and do not require drug-based treatment.
Key points from the advisory include:
1.No cough and cold syrups for children under 2 years.
2.Generally not recommended for children below 5 years.
3.Medications should only be given after careful clinical evaluation, with strict dosing, shortest effective duration, and avoidance of multiple drug combinations.
4.First-line treatment should focus on non-pharmacological measures like rest, hydration, and supportive care.
Importance of Safe Manufacturing and Dispensing
The DGHS has also urged all healthcare facilities to procure medicines only from manufacturers following Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), ensuring pharmaceutical-grade quality. This comes amid growing concerns about counterfeit drugs entering local markets.
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What This Means for Parents
For parents and caregivers, the advisory highlights the need to be cautious before administering over-the-counter cough syrups to children. In most cases, home remedies and supportive care are safer alternatives. Consulting a qualified pediatrician remains crucial if symptoms persist.
Conclusion
The government’s clarification provides relief that the recent Cough Syrup Deaths of 11 children were not due to contamination in syrups. However, the incident underlines the urgent need for awareness about rational medicine use in children, especially in rural areas where counterfeit drugs can circulate.
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