Cough Syrup Scare: Karnataka to issue new safety guidelines after ban in six states
Cough Syrup: Amid growing concern over the cough syrup scare across India, the Karnataka Health Department is set to issue new guidelines for pediatric syrup use following incidents in Madhya Pradesh where a toxic cough syrup reportedly caused child deaths.
Authorities in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara have arrested Dr. Praveen Soni, a pediatrician accused of prescribing the fatal Coldrif syrup, manufactured by Srisan Pharmaceuticals based in Tamil Nadu. Police have registered FIRs against both the company and the doctor.
Following this, six states Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Rajasthan, Telangana, and Karnataka have banned the sale of the syrup. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has started collecting samples from 19 pharmaceutical units across the six states for quality testing.
Speaking to reporters, Karnataka Health Department Additional Chief Secretary Harshagupta confirmed that a high-level meeting will be held tomorrow to finalize the new safety protocol. “Guidelines will be issued for doctors, private hospitals, and parents to prevent misuse of syrups for children,” he said.
Likely highlights of new guidelines:
Avoid long-term storage do not use syrups after six months to one year of opening.
The government’s move comes amid nationwide concern over unsafe pediatric formulations, with experts urging parents not to medicate children without professional supervision.
Avoid giving cough syrups that separate or suppress mucus.
Syrups may be used only in rare cases and with medical caution.
No oral cough medicine for children under 2.5 years.
Children with wheezing should be treated with tablets or inhalers, not oral syrups.
Private clinics must not prescribe cough syrups routinely and must report any complications or deaths immediately.
Pharmacies will be brought under centralized software monitoring for stronger oversight.
Advice for parents
Use an opened syrup within one month; discarded after that period.
Do not reuse or repurchase the same syrup without a fresh prescription.
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