Indore on alert after Chhindwara deaths:Collector warns against prescription and sale of prohibited syrups, DIs to take samples from Tuesday; JSAI seeks nationwide ban

After the death of children in Chhindwara linked to Coldrif cough syrup, investigations have begun across Madhya Pradesh. In response, the Indore administration has gone on high alert. On Monday, drug inspectors conducted inspections at seven wholesale depots and several medical stores in the city. No stock of the banned syrup was found during these checks. From Tuesday, the administration will launch a citywide campaign to collect samples of all types of cough syrups from medical shops and depots. These samples will be sent for laboratory testing. If any syrup is found containing banned or harmful substances, strict action will be taken against the manufacturer, seller, and prescribing doctor.
Meanwhile, Jan Swasthya Abhiyan India (JSAI) has written to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, demanding a complete ban on the manufacture, sale, and marketing of cough syrups across the country. JSAI has expressed serious concern over recurring child deaths allegedly caused by contaminated syrups and has urged the Centre to act urgently. Collector’s stern warning Collector Shivam Verma has directed that if any doctor prescribes the prohibited drug or if any chemist is found selling it, an FIR will be filed and legal action will follow. The CMHO and Food and Drug Administration Department have been asked to maintain strict surveillance over the city’s medicine market, hospitals, and pediatricians. The Collector also clarified that the toxic batch of Coldrif syrup responsible for the deaths in Chhindwara was not supplied in Indore. Meanwhile, drug inspector Lokesh Gupta confirmed: We inspected seven depots on Monday. No Coldrif syrup was found at any of them. There has been no supply of this syrup in Indore. CMHO directs DIs for continuous inspection Chief Medical and Health Officer Dr Madhav Hasani stated: We have directed the drug inspectors to remain on field and conduct continuous inspections against all the drugs and medicines. We have also directed to inform any unusual event or incident regarding the same. Meanwhile, we have also directed the hospitals to ensure that their doctors follow the norms while prescribing medicines to the patients, and no patient should be forced to buy medicines from any particular store. JSAI demands complete ban on cough syrups Jan Swasthya Abhiyan India (JSAI) has written to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, demanding a complete ban on the manufacture, sale, and marketing of cough syrups across the country. JSAI has expressed serious concern over the recent deaths of children in Rajasthan (Bharatpur, Sikar) and Madhya Pradesh (Chhindwara, Betul), allegedly due to contaminated cough syrups. Expert warnings ignored The letter highlights that the Hathi Committee (1975), the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and the Indian Academy of Paediatrics (IAP) have all described the use of cough syrups in children as unscientific and harmful. UNICEF’s child health guidelines state that cough syrups are not recommended in pediatric care, advising safer alternatives such as warm fluids, honey (for children above one year), and careful monitoring of symptoms. JSAI’s demands JSAI has urged the government to: Call for accountability JSAI also alleged that the Health Minister of Madhya Pradesh has shown insensitivity towards child health, pointing to repeated preventable deaths, first in Indore due to rat bites, then in Chhindwara, and most recently in Betul due to irrational cough syrup. JSAI demanded that the minister, who has failed to manage the state’s public health system, resign immediately. It has also urged Chief Minister Mohan Yadav to take corrective steps to prevent further avoidable child deaths caused by unsafe and irrational medicines.