Is cough syrup turning deadly for children? 12 deaths trigger nationwide alarm

The tragic deaths of 12 children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, allegedly linked to cough syrups, have sparked panic across India, prompting urgent health advisories from the Centre.

India is in shock after 12 children tragically lost their lives, reportedly due to kidney failure linked to cough syrups prescribed for cold and cough. The cases were reported from Chhindwara in Madhya Pradesh and Bharatpur and Sikar in Rajasthan, creating a storm across the country.

According to reports, in just 15 days, nine children in Chhindwara died after being administered cough syrups. In Rajasthan’s Sikar district, 5-year-old Nitish, suffering from a mild cough, was given syrup at a government hospital in Chirana. After consuming the medicine at night, the child failed to wake up the next morning. Doctors later confirmed his death, leaving the family shattered. Similar cases were reported in Bharatpur, further intensifying concerns.

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The Union Health Ministry has issued urgent nationwide guidelines, advising all states to strictly regulate cough and cold medicines for children. The advisory stresses that:

•    Children under 2 years must never be given cough or cold syrups.
•    In most cases, children naturally recover from coughs without medication.
•    Children under 5 years should not be routinely given such syrups unless absolutely necessary and prescribed by a doctor.
•    Even when prescribed, the dosage must be minimal and for the shortest possible duration.

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The ministry has urged hospitals, PHCs, CHCs, district hospitals, and medical colleges to ensure strict compliance. It has also asked states to raise awareness and ensure only GMP-certified safe medicines are stored and dispensed. Parents are being advised to prioritize rest, home care, and non-drug remedies over unnecessary medications.

This incident echoes previous tragedies in Gambia and Uzbekistan, where Indian-manufactured cough syrups were linked to child deaths. With the fresh wave of cases, India is once again grappling with the urgent need for stricter pharmaceutical regulation and safer pediatric practices.

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