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Key Points

Uttarakhand has launched extensive raids on medical stores following tragic child deaths linked to contaminated cough syrup. The state's drug controller is urgently appealing to people to never purchase medicines without proper doctor prescriptions. Multiple states have banned Coldrif cough syrup after tests revealed dangerous levels of toxic diethylene glycol. Authorities are implementing strict monitoring including CCTV cameras at pharmacies to prevent further tragedies.

Key Points: Uttarakhand Drug Controller Warns Against Buying Medicines Without Prescription

  • Statewide raids target medical stores after child deaths in MP and Rajasthan
  • Quick response teams collecting medicine samples across Uttarakhand
  • Coldrif cough syrup banned for containing toxic diethylene glycol
  • CCTV monitoring implemented at pharmacies to prevent illegal sales
  • Multiple states issue advisories against dangerous cough syrup consumption
  • Action promised against stores selling medicines without prescriptions
3 min read

Uttarakhand: Senior official appeals to people not to purchase any medicines without doctor's prescription

Following child deaths from contaminated cough syrup, Uttarakhand's drug controller urges public to only purchase medicines with doctor's prescription amid statewide raids.

"We're appealing to the public not to purchase any medicines without a doctor's prescription - Tajbar Singh Jaggi"

Dehradun, October 6

A day after Uttarakhand launched raids on medical stores across the state in the wake of children deaths in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, Additional Commissioner and Drug Controller Tajbar Singh Jaggi appealed people not to purchase any medicines without a doctor's prescription.

At least 14 deaths have been reported due to the alleged consumption of a cough syrup in Madhya Pradesh's Chhindwara so far, while eight children have been admitted to a hospital, according to an official.

"We're checking not just cough syrups, but other medicines as well. We're ensuring that no medicines harmful to children are circulating in the state. Quick response teams are visiting various locations to collect samples. We're also appealing to the public not to purchase any medicines without a doctor's prescription. CCTV cameras have been installed at medical stores. If medicines are sold without a doctor's prescription, action will be taken...," Jaggi told ANI.

Following this, several states, including Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Telangana, Kerala, have issued advisories and banned the Coldrif cough syrup.

Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak also announced that the state government has banned the cough syrup linked to the deaths of several children.

The UP government banned the sale of Coldrif Cough Syrup to prevent further harm, and an advisory has been issued urging people not to consume this type of cough syrup.

"It is very sad that many children have lost their lives after consuming cough syrup. Our government has never bought such cough syrup. We have also issued an advisory urging the people of the state not to consume this type of cough syrup. We have banned the cough syrup in the state," Brajesh Pathak told ANI.

Earlier, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced a complete ban on the sale of 'Coldrif' cough syrup across the state.

"The deaths of children in Chhindwara due to 'Coldrif syrup' are extremely tragic. The sale of this syrup has been banned across Madhya Pradesh. The sale of other products manufactured by the same company is also being banned," the CM said in a post on X.

The ban comes after the Health Ministry confirmed that the syrup, Coldrif Cough Syrup manufactured by Sresan Pharma in Tamil Nadu, contained diethylene glycol (DEG) beyond permissible limits. DEG is a toxic substance used in industrial solvents that can be fatal if ingested even in small amounts.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Good move by Uttarakhand government. But why wait for tragedies to happen? Our drug regulation system needs to be more proactive. Regular quality checks should be the norm, not just after children die.
A
Arjun K
As a parent, this news is terrifying 😨. We often give our kids cough syrup without prescription thinking it's harmless. Never again! Strict action needed against medical stores selling without prescription.
S
Sarah B
The CCTV installation at medical stores is a smart move. But implementation is key - hope they actually monitor and take action against violators. Too many chemists sell antibiotics and other drugs without prescription.
V
Vikram M
Diethylene glycol in cough syrup? This is criminal negligence! The company should face severe punishment. Meanwhile, we need better awareness about the dangers of self-medication, especially for children.
M
Michael C
While I appreciate the advisory, the real challenge is changing public behavior. In remote areas, people often don't have easy access to doctors and rely on local chemists. The government should also focus on improving healthcare access.

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