Centre issues advisory to states on cough syrup deaths; urges its rational use in children

New Delhi, Oct 4: The Centre on Friday issued an advisory to all states and Union Territories urging the rational use of cough syrups in children, following reports of 11 child deaths in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan allegedly linked to cough syrup consumption.

Denying any contamination in the syrups, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said investigations found no traces of Diethylene Glycol (DEG) or Ethylene Glycol (EG), chemicals associated with kidney injury. A joint team comprising officials from the NCDC, NIV, and CDSCO conducted the probe, collecting samples in coordination with state authorities.

“As per the test results, none of the samples contained DEG or EG,” the ministry said, adding that blood and CSF samples tested by NIV Pune revealed one case of Leptospirosis, while other samples are under further examination.

The advisory issued by the Director General of Health Services, Dr. Sunita Sharma, stressed that cough and cold medications should not be prescribed or dispensed to children under two years of age, as most such illnesses are self-limiting.

For children under five, the DGHS recommended avoiding cough syrups unless clinically necessary, emphasizing close supervision, minimal dosing, and the shortest effective duration.

The advisory also urged healthcare providers to prioritize non-drug measures such as rest, hydration, and supportive care, and ensure procurement of products made under Good Manufacturing Practices using pharmaceutical-grade ingredients.