Cough syrup on central government ‘s advisory banned in Uttarakhand , raids conducted on several factories and chemists shops

The central government’s advisory is in effect, and the government is appealing to doctors not to prescribe banned cough syrups to children. Keeping child safety and public health as a top priority, the Uttarakhand government has banned cough syrups across the state.

Joint teams of the Health Department and Food Safety and Drug Administration (FDA) are conducting raids on medical stores, wholesalers and hospital medicine shops in all the districts of the state.

This campaign was launched following recent deaths of children in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh due to cough syrup consumption. The Uttarakhand government, recognizing this as a serious public health issue, has taken prompt action.

Health Secretary and Commissioner, Food Safety and Drug Administration (FDA) Dr. R. Rajesh Kumar issued orders to all Chief Medical Officers, saying that the advisory of the Government of India should be implemented in the state with immediate effect.

He said that there can be no bigger issue than the safety of children and public health.

He gave clear instructions that drug inspectors should collect samples of cough syrups in a phased manner and get their quality tested in the laboratory, so that any defective or harmful medicine can be immediately removed from the market.

Dr. R. Rajesh Kumar has urged all doctors in the state to heed the central government’s advisory and refrain from prescribing banned cough syrups for children. Dr. R. Rajesh Kumar said that if doctors prescribe these syrups, medical stores will also sell them.
Therefore, it is important that doctors themselves show responsibility and avoid recommending the banned medicines.

According to an advisory issued by the Government of India, children under the age of two should not be given any type of cough or cold medicine without consulting a doctor.
These medications are not generally recommended for use in children under five years of age.
They should only be used on the advice of a specialist physician, in the correct dosage, and for the minimum duration.

The government has specifically banned syrups containing Dextromethorphan and medicines containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate + Phenylephrine Hydrochloride combination for children under four years of age.

There are raids and sampling operations across the state of Uttarakhand
Following this order, raids are being conducted on a war footing across the state under the leadership of Tajbar Singh Jaggi, Additional Commissioner, Food Safety and Drug Administration and Drug Controller.

The Additional Commissioner himself inspected medicine shops in many areas of Dehradun including Jogiwala, Mohkampur.

Drug inspectors in all districts have been directed to collect samples of syrups from government hospitals, primary health centres and retail shops and get them tested in the laboratory within this month.

Tajbar Singh Jaggi said that FDA teams are active across the state. If any defects are found at any level, strict legal action will be taken against the concerned company or seller.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s strong message – Public health is paramount
and therefore there will be no compromise on the safety of children and the health of the public.

He further said that the government is also working towards further strengthening the drug quality monitoring system in the state.

Health Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat said the state government is following the central government’s advisory with utmost seriousness. Any negligence regarding children’s medication will not be tolerated.

All doctors and pharmacists have been instructed not to prescribe or sell the banned syrup. This step is essential to protect children and public health emphasised the Uttarakhand health minister.

The FDA has begun sampling cough syrups across the state. Additional Commissioner of Food Safety and Drug Administration and Drug Controller Tajbar Singh Jaggi appealed to the public to consult a doctor before giving any medicine to children.

If any adverse effect is seen due to consumption of any medicine, immediately contact the nearest health centre or hospital director dd the FDA.