Karnataka Bans Cough Syrups for Infants After Child Deaths in Other States; Issues Statewide Alert
Karnataka Moves Swiftly After Fatal Syrup Incidents in Other States The Karnataka Health Department has issued a statewide advisory prohibiting the prescription or sale of...
Karnataka Moves Swiftly After Fatal Syrup Incidents in Other States
The Karnataka Health Department has issued a statewide advisory prohibiting the prescription or sale of cough and cold syrups for children below two years of age. The move follows reports of multiple child deaths in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan linked to toxic formulations of over-the-counter cough syrups.
In a circular dated October 5, the Food Safety and Drugs Administration (FSDA) cautioned hospitals, clinics, distributors, and pharmacists to withdraw two specific products implicated in the deaths — Coldrif Syrup (Batch No. SR-13), manufactured by a Tamil Nadu-based company, and Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide Syrup IP from Jaipur’s Kaysons Pharma. Both batches have been banned in their respective states following investigations.
Health Department Orders Recall and Strict Vigil
“All healthcare institutions and retailers must immediately stop the sale or use of the affected batches and report any existing stock to the jurisdictional Assistant Drugs Controller,” the advisory stated.
The government has directed enforcement officers to maintain close surveillance to prevent the entry or sale of any substandard syrups. Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao confirmed that no contaminated batches have so far been found in Karnataka but emphasized that the state is “acting out of an abundance of caution.”
“We’ve ordered checks across pharmacies and hospitals. As per the latest information, none of these products were supplied to Karnataka, but we are not taking any chances,” Mr. Rao said while addressing the media in Hassan.
Syrup Restrictions for Young Children
The new advisory stipulates that cough and cold syrups should not be prescribed or dispensed to children under two years of age under any circumstances. For those aged between two and five, such medicines should be avoided unless “clearly indicated and prescribed after a thorough clinical evaluation.”
For older children, syrups—if necessary—should be administered at the lowest effective dose and for the shortest possible duration. The department has also urged doctors to avoid irrational drug combinations, such as multi-ingredient cough suppressants and oral bronchodilators, that have limited medical justification in pediatric care.
Guidelines and Preventive Measures
The advisory reinforces adherence to national guidelines, including the Standard Treatment Protocols and Integrated Management of Neonatal and Childhood Illness (IMNCI) framework, issued by the Union Health Ministry. It encourages non-drug remedies such as adequate hydration, rest, and balanced nutrition for managing mild cough or cold in children.
District and taluk health officials have been instructed to circulate the advisory widely among pediatricians, general practitioners, pharmacists, and nursing staff. Random inspections are expected to ensure compliance across private and government health facilities.
Accountability and Reporting
The Health Department has mandated that any suspected cases of syrup-related toxicity, adverse reactions, or unexplained child deaths be promptly recorded on the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP).
Violations—including over-the-counter sales without prescriptions, irrational prescribing practices, or stocking of banned products—will attract penalties under the Karnataka Private Medical Establishments (KPME) Act, 2007, and the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.