No contamination found in cough syrup linked to child deaths: Drugs board

New Delhi: The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) and official sources from the national drugs board have confirmed that recent reports linking cough syrup to the deaths of at least 10 children in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh are unsubstantiated.

Rigorous testing has found no harmful substances in the syrup, and authorities assured consumers of its safety.

The generic cold-relief syrup, Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide, commonly supplied to government hospitals, has shown no signs of contamination. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) stated that all claims of contamination are unverified and baseless.

In Madhya Pradesh, samples of the syrup from a Jabalpur pharmaceutical unit, linked to several child fatalities in Chhindwara, were sent for laboratory testing. Of the 660 bottles purchased by the company, 594 were distributed through three local distributors and 66 remained with the manufacturer. Sixteen bottles were sent for testing, while the remaining stock has been frozen and prohibited from sale.

Six children in Chhindwara district reportedly died between 4 and 26 September from kidney-related complications following common cold, cough, and fever symptoms. Dr Naresh Gunnade, Chief Medical and Health Officer, stated that both central and state authorities investigated the deaths, collecting human, water, and environmental samples. Preliminary reports showed no serious abnormalities.

A 10-bed ward was established at Parasia government hospital to monitor similar cases. The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the state-level Integrated Disease Surveillance Project (IDSP) continue to investigate, and laboratory results are awaited to determine any other contributing factors.

(With PTI inputs)