Dehradun: To protect the health of children in the state, the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FDA) has launched an intensive campaign against the sale and distribution of banned cough syrups. Following the action, 63 cough syrup samples were sent to the State Drug Analysis Laboratory in Dehradun. The laboratory has been directed to submit its test report within 15 days.
Following the guidance of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Health Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat, the FDA is taking action against banned and suspected cough syrups across the state. On Monday, FDA Additional Commissioner and Drug Controller Tajbar Singh Jaggi stated that the campaign was launched on the state government’s instructions following incidents of children falling ill and dying from cough syrup consumption in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.
So far, 63 cough syrup samples have been sent for testing from all districts. Drug control officers have been strictly instructed to collect cough syrup samples from CFTO, medical stores, wholesalers, and hospital pharmacy stores and send them for testing. Samples of raw materials such as polyethylene glycol, sorbitol, and other chemical compounds are also being collected from pharmaceutical manufacturing companies for quality testing, ensuring no shortages or irregularities at the production stage.
Do not give children any cough syrups or medicines without medical advice.
The Additional Commissioner has appealed to the public not to give any cough syrups or medicines to children without medical advice. If a child exhibits symptoms such as a cold, cough, or fever, administer the medicine only after consulting a qualified physician. Furthermore, avoid giving children any cough syrups or medicines that have already been opened at home. Old or opened medicines often lose their effectiveness, which can be detrimental to children’s health.
