Cough Syrup Not Linked to Deaths, Says Rajasthan Health Dept
Health Department blames misuse, suspends doctor for protocol breach.
The Rajasthan Health Department has firmly rejected claims that cough syrup distributed under its free medicine scheme caused the tragic deaths of two children in Bharatpur and Sikar districts, addressing public concerns over the safety of state-provided medications. In an official statement released on October 2, 2025, Public Health Director Ravi Prakash Sharma clarified that investigations into the incidents revealed no link to government-supplied syrup, attributing the fatalities to improper administration at home without medical guidance.
According to Sharma, the children were given Dextromethorphan (DXM)-based cough syrup, a drug explicitly not prescribed for pediatric use under state protocols, without a doctor’s recommendation. “In both cases, the syrup was administered at home, not prescribed by doctors,” Sharma emphasized, highlighting a critical lapse in parental decision-making. The Health Department’s findings come amid heightened scrutiny following initial reports suggesting poor-quality cough syrup might be to blame, prompting Health Minister Gajendra Singh to order an immediate probe.
The Rajasthan Medical Services Corporation Limited (RMSCL) responded swiftly, halting the supply and use of the implicated drug and dispatching samples for testing at the state drug laboratory. A three-member inquiry committee was formed to investigate the supply chain and ensure compliance with safety standards. While the Bharatpur case confirmed no prescription was issued, a separate incident in Sikar revealed a troubling breach: a doctor wrongly prescribed DXM-containing syrup to a child, violating established guidelines. The Health Department has since initiated suspension proceedings against both the doctor and the pharmacist involved, signaling a zero-tolerance stance on protocol violations.
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To prevent future mishaps, the department issued a statewide advisory on October 2, mandating strict adherence to prescription protocols and urging doctors and pharmacists to dispense medicines only with valid prescriptions. The public has also been cautioned against self-medicating, with Sharma stressing, “Medicines, especially for children, must never be taken without medical advice.” This directive aims to curb misuse and safeguard vulnerable populations, particularly in rural areas where access to healthcare guidance can be limited.
The controversy has sparked widespread debate about the safety of free medicine schemes, a cornerstone of Rajasthan’s public health initiatives. While the government insists its supply chain remains robust, the incidents have raised questions about oversight and public awareness. As the state awaits laboratory results to further validate the syrup’s quality, the Health Department’s swift action and call for accountability aim to restore public trust. For now, officials are urging calm and compliance, hoping to prevent further tragedies driven by misinformation or negligence.
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