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News Topical, Digital Desk : The central government has issued an advisory to all states and union territories regarding cough syrups, directing them not to give cough and cold medicines to children below two years of age. This advisory, issued by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), comes amid reports of deaths of children in Madhya Pradesh due to allegedly contaminated cough syrups. Meanwhile, the Union Health Ministry found that none of the syrup samples tested in Madhya Pradesh contained diethylene glycol (DEG) or ethylene glycol (EG), both of which can cause serious kidney damage.
Caution should be taken for elderly people also
The DGHS, which falls under the Health Ministry, stated in the advisory that cough syrups are generally not recommended for children under five years of age. It added that for older people, their use should be based on careful clinical assessment, close monitoring, and strict adherence to appropriate dosage.
The disease resolves on its own
Additionally, the advisory, issued by Dr. Sunita Sharma of the DGHS, stated that people can be sensitized to adhere to doctors' prescriptions. It emphasized the judicious prescribing of cough syrups for children. It stated that acute coughs in children often resolve spontaneously and often resolve without medication.
Doctors and drug dealers need to be sensitive
The advisory asks all healthcare facilities and diagnostic units to ensure the procurement and distribution of properly prepared products. It states, "Sensitization of public and private sector practitioners and pharmacists is essential to maintain these standards of care. All State/Union Territory Health Departments, District Health Authorities, and diagnostic establishments/healthcare facilities are requested to implement and disseminate this advisory to government dispensaries, primary health centers, community health centers, district hospitals, and medical institutions."
Several tests taken
Earlier, the Health Ministry said that a joint team comprising representatives from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), National Institute of Virology (NIV), Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) etc. conducted a site visit to collect samples of various cough syrups in Madhya Pradesh.
Many children died due to cough syrup.
There have been reports of recent deaths of children due to the consumption of cough syrup. The ministry said, "As per the test results, none of the samples were found to contain diethylene glycol (DEG) or ethylene glycol (EG), which can cause serious kidney damage."
Confirmation of absence of DEGs/EGs
The Madhya Pradesh State Food and Drug Administration also tested three samples and confirmed the absence of DEG/EG. Following reports of two children dying in Rajasthan after consuming contaminated cough syrup, the ministry clarified that the product in question does not contain propylene glycol, a potential source of DEG/EG contamination. (With input from Bhasha)
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