By Kavita Mistry 
A central team from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has collected samples in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara district as part of a probe into the suspected role of cough syrup in the recent deaths and illnesses of children. Similar cases have emerged from Rajasthan, prompting urgent testing of dextromethorphan hydrobromide syrup batches and a halt in distribution across the state.
The probe follows the death of a five-year-old boy in Sikar, Rajasthan, after consuming cough syrup supplied under the state’s free medicine scheme, alongside the serious illness of a three-year-old in Bharatpur who took the same syrup. Similarly, Additionally, in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara district, six children have died over the past month from suspected kidney infections after reportedly consuming two types of similar syrups.
According to official sources, multiple samples, including water, entomological, and drug samples are being analysed to rule out infectious disease. However, the quality of the cough syrup has become the central focus of investigation.
CASES EMERGED IN RAJASTHAN AND MADHYA PRADESH
In Rajasthan, a two-year-old girl who had been administered dextromethorphan hydrobromide syrup at a government dispensary in Sanganer on September 27 was hospitalised in critical condition at a private hospital in Mansarovar, Jaipur. Initially admitted to the ICU after being found unresponsive, she has since been shifted to the general ward. The medicine, supplied under the Chief Minister’s Free Medicine Scheme, is now under suspension pending test results.
This case follows earlier incidents in Bharatpur and Srimadhopur (Sikar district), where several children fell ill after taking the same syrup. They were admitted to JK Lon Hospital in Jaipur but discharged after treatment. Notably, a doctor at the government hospital in Bharatpur also experienced adverse symptoms after using the syrup himself.
In Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara district, six children have died over the past month from suspected kidney infections after reportedly consuming two types of syrups, including cough medicines. The Acting Chief Medical and Health Officer, Dr. Naresh Gunnade, confirmed the first suspected case was recorded on August 24, with the first death occurring on September 7. Initial symptoms reported were high fever and difficulty urinating. Following these events, authorities have banned the use of the two syrups and ordered stringent monitoring.
AUTHORITIES BEGIN PROBE
On September 28 and 29, the Rajasthan Medical Services Corporation Limited (RMSCL) received formal complaints from district health officials regarding batch numbers KL-25/147 and KL-25/148 of the syrup, manufactured by Kaysons Pharma, a Jaipur-based company. Consequently, RMSCL has halted the distribution of all affected batches and forming a three-member committee to probe the matter.
RMSCL officials confirmed that over 133,000 patients had received this syrup since June with no prior complaints until the recent cluster of cases. Nonetheless, in view of the emerging pattern, the distribution of the syrup has been suspended across the state. All batches from Kaysons Pharma are now banned from being distributed at pharmacy centers, and another supplier’s cough syrup is also under re-testing as a precaution.
Rajasthan Drug Controller Ajay Phatak confirmed multiple reports of children falling ill across several districts and emphasised that the entire supply of Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide syrup has been suspended pending test results. “We have collected statutory samples from the affected batches and sent them for quality testing. A detailed investigation report is expected within five to six days,” Phatak said.
Initial findings suggest the syrup may not have been appropriate for pediatric use. All affected children were under the age of four, and experts have pointed out that the syrup is primarily indicated for adults. This has raised further concerns about prescription and distribution practices under public health schemes.
Meanwhile, in Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh, the NCDC has collected samples following the reported deaths of children possibly linked to similar syrup usage. Officials emphasize that test results from the State Drug Testing Laboratories are still pending. All findings will be shared with the respective state authorities to determine further action.
Pulmonologists and pediatric health experts are now advising against the unsupervised use of over-the-counter cough medicines for children. “Parents should not administer any syrup or medication without a doctor’s prescription, especially for children under five,” said one Jaipur-based pulmonologist.
The central and state authorities are expected to take further action following laboratory results and internal committee findings. For now, the distribution and use of the implicated batches remain suspended, and the quality control mechanisms under public health schemes are under renewed scrutiny.
– Ends