Bengaluru, 6 Oct

In the wake of multiple child deaths reported from Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan linked to cough and cold syrups, the Karnataka Health Department has issued a strict advisory against prescribing or dispensing such medications to children under the age of two.

The advisory, issued on 5 October by the Food Safety and Drugs Administration (FSDA), specifically warns healthcare institutions, stockists, and retailers against the purchase or sale of Coldrif Syrup (Batch No. SR-13) manufactured in Tamil Nadu and Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide Syrup IP made by Kaysons Pharma, Jaipur.

Tamil Nadu has already banned the sale and distribution of the implicated Coldrif batch.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has directed the Health Department to investigate the matter, while Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao confirmed that the substandard syrups involved in the deaths have not entered Karnataka’s supply chain.

He assured that no such incidents have been reported in the state and that samples of all cough syrup brands are now being collected and tested as a precaution.

The government has directed all healthcare providers, both public and private, to strictly avoid prescribing or dispensing cough and cold syrups to children under two years. For children aged two to five, such medications should be given only when clearly indicated and after thorough clinical evaluation.

For older children, the advisory recommends that cough syrups, if needed, be prescribed in the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration, while discouraging multi-drug or irrational combinations.

Healthcare professionals have been instructed to follow Standard Treatment Protocols, IMNCI guidelines, and prioritise non-pharmacological care, including hydration, nutrition, and rest.

The Health Department has also urged all facilities to procure drugs only from GMP-compliant licensed manufacturers, and warned of random inspections to ensure compliance.

Any suspected syrup-related toxicity, death, or rise in unexplained paediatric cough cases must be promptly reported on the IHIP portal under the IDSP.

Violations, including irrational prescriptions or over-the-counter sales, will attract penalties under the KPME Act, 2007 and the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.