Jaipur: In the wake of rising concerns over child deaths linked to contaminated cough syrups, the Rajasthan government has suspended the state drug controller and ordered an immediate halt to the distribution of medicines manufactured by Jaipur-based Kaysons Pharma. The decision follows reports that 11 children nine in Madhya Pradesh and two in Rajasthan have allegedly died after consuming tainted cough syrups.
The Medical and Health Department has instructed that the supply of all 19 medicines produced by Kaysons Pharma be stopped until further notice. Additionally, the distribution of all other cough syrups containing Dextromethorphan, a common ingredient in pediatric cough medicines, has been suspended as a precautionary measure.
Drug Controller Rajaram Sharma has been placed under suspension for allegedly interfering in the process of determining drug standards, officials said. Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma has ordered a comprehensive probe into the matter, while Health Minister Gajendra Singh has directed the constitution of an expert committee to investigate the issue and ensure that public safety is not compromised.
Principal Secretary of the Medical and Health Department, Gayatri Rathore, highlighted that the Union government had issued a 2021 advisory warning against administering Dextromethorphan to children under four years of age. The state has reiterated this advisory, while the Drug Controller General of India on Friday recommended that the syrup should generally be given only to children above five years, and never to those below two years.
Officials also announced that medicines deemed potentially harmful to children and pregnant women will now carry explicit warning labels. According to Pukhraj Sen, Managing Director of the Rajasthan Medical Services Corporation Ltd (RMSCL), over 10,000 samples of Kaysons Pharma drugs have been tested since 2012, with 42 batches failing to meet quality standards. As a precautionary step, the supply of all 19 medicines from the company has been suspended, pending further investigation.
The government’s decisive action underscores the urgency of strengthening drug safety regulations and protecting vulnerable populations from substandard or unsafe medications. The probe is expected to examine both manufacturing practices and regulatory oversight, aiming to prevent a repeat of the tragic incidents that have shaken parents and communities across the state.