Deaths due to cough syrup: Gujarat govt launches probe against 500+ pharma companies

Following reports of at least 15 children dying due to ‘Coldrif’ cough syrup in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, the Gujarat government has swung into action and launched inspections at more than 500 pharmaceutical companies manufacturing cough syrup in the state.

The Union Health Ministry held a video conference with health department officials from all states, including Gujarat, to ensure strict compliance with the guidelines related to cough syrup usage. 

According to health department sources, more than 500 pharmaceutical companies in Gujarat manufacture cough syrup. 

Teams from the Food and Drugs Control Administration, under the supervision of the Health Department, have begun investigations to detect whether cough syrups contain harmful ingredients. 

To prevent incidents like those in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh from recurring, the Gujarat health authorities have stepped up vigilance, prompting large-scale inspections at pharma companies. 

Moreover, checks are also being conducted at medical stores selling cough syrups. Any medical store caught selling syrup with harmful content faces strict action, including cancellation of its licence. Doctors in government as well as private hospitals have also been issued urgent advisories regarding the matter.

There is no effective restriction on the sale of cough syrup at medical stores. As a result, across Gujarat—including Ahmedabad—cough syrup is being sold freely without doctors’ prescriptions. 

Due to staff shortages in the department, drugstore operators are taking advantage of lax enforcement. Rules requiring prescriptions for such medicines are being openly flouted. As per reports, in rural areas more than cities, restricted medicines are easily available without prescriptions. Many medical stores don’t even have qualified pharmacists present at the site.

Gujarat’s cough syrup problem

Because cough syrup is easier to obtain than alcohol, it has been abused by the addicts in the past. In eastern Ahmedabad, many daily-wage labourers and factory workers have developed a habit of consuming it for intoxication, leading to growing dependence, as per reports. 

Since several syrups contain high levels of codeine phosphate, which produces an alcohol-like high, teenagers and young adults are the most affected. As a result, cough syrup addiction is spreading at an alarming rate.