The Centre has advised States to ensure rational use of cough syrups, particularly among children, as most coughs are self-limiting and do not require pharmacological treatment. It has emphasised strict compliance with the Revised Schedule by all drug manufacturers in view of recent concerns relating to the quality and administration of cough syrups. The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare convened a high-level meeting under the chairmanship of the Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava with all States and Union Territories to review compliance with drug quality norms and promote the rational use of cough syrups, especially in paediatric populations.

 

 

The matter was earlier reviewed by Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda, who had directed that the matter should be discussed with States and UTs to ensure necessary actions. During the meeting, it was also informed that Risk-Based Inspections have been initiated across 19 manufacturing units in six states to identify systemic gaps and strengthen quality assurance mechanisms. States and UTs were also advised to ensure enhanced surveillance, timely reporting by both government and private health facilities, wider dissemination of the community reporting tool of IDSP-IHIP and strengthened inter-state coordination for early reporting and joint action in the context of outbreak response and unusual health events.

 

 

The meeting follows recent reports of child deaths in Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh, allegedly linked to contaminated cough syrups. The Metropolitan Surveillance Unit, Nagpur, established under the Pradhan Mantri-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission, had reported a cluster of cases and related deaths to IDSP, NCDC from a Block in Chhindwara District of Madhya Pradesh. 

 

 

Taking cognisance of the situation, a Central team of experts comprising epidemiologists, microbiologists, entomologists and drug inspectors from the National Centre for Disease Control, National Institute of Virology and Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation visited Chhindwara and Nagpur and undertook a detailed analysis of the reported cases and deaths in coordination with Madhya Pradesh State Authorities.