DGHS issues advisory on cough syrups for children after 11 deaths in MP and Maharashtra
PTC Web Desk: The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has issued an advisory cautioning against the use of cough syrups in young children following the deaths of 11 minors in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara district has reported nine child fatalities within just over two weeks, with doctors attributing the cause to kidney failure. A similar case was recently reported in Rajasthan’s Sikar district. Health authorities suspect that organ failure in these cases may be linked to the consumption of contaminated cough syrups.
Preliminary investigations revealed that at least five of the deceased children had consumed Coldref syrup, while one had taken Nextro syrup. In response, private practitioners have been instructed not to treat viral infections independently and to immediately refer such cases to civil hospitals.
The state health department has initiated urgent testing of dextromethorphan hydrobromide syrup batches and suspended their distribution across Madhya Pradesh. Officials are also closely monitoring a line list of over 1,420 children suffering from cold, fever, and flu-like symptoms.
However, the Union Health Ministry has clarified that no contamination has been detected in the tested samples of the syrups in question. According to test results, neither Diethylene Glycol (DEG) nor Ethylene Glycol (EG)—chemicals known to cause acute kidney damage—were found.
Sources from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) and the Madhya Pradesh State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) also confirmed the findings. “So far, no contamination has been found in our testing. All reports of syrup contamination remain unsubstantiated and baseless,” CDSCO officials were reported as saying.
- With inputs from agencies
