Rajasthan child death sparks cough syrup ban
A five-year-old boy’s death in Rajasthan has triggered serious concerns over the safety of a cough syrup produced by Kaysons Pharma, a company already known for regulatory lapses. The child, from Sikar district, reportedly consumed a dextromethorphan-based syrup manufactured by the firm before falling critically ill.
The Rajasthan Medical Services Corporation Ltd (RMSCL) has now banned the distribution of the medicine, pending laboratory tests. Officials also confirmed that several other children in Sikar and Bharatpur districts showed similar adverse reactions after consuming the syrup.
Kaysons Pharma’s regulatory history
The incident has reignited scrutiny of Kaysons Pharma’s track record. In April 2022, RMSCL’s disciplinary committee found the company guilty of violating tender agreements by failing to supply medicines on time. Following this, the health department debarred Kaysons Pharma for two years, starting June 6, 2022.
The RMSCL order noted that despite receiving multiple purchase orders, the firm either failed to deliver or supplied medicines only in part. This non-compliance led to strong action against the company. Officials say the firm’s past record has heightened concerns in the current investigation.
Complaints over specific syrup batches
The present health scare is linked to two specific batches of the drug ‘Dextromethorphan HBr Syrup IP 13.5mg/5ml.’ On September 28, Bharatpur’s Chief Medical Health Officer filed a complaint against batch KL-25/147 after children developed alarming symptoms, including vomiting, dizziness, restlessness, and unconsciousness.
The next day, Sikar officials raised a similar complaint regarding batch KL-25/148. Both batches are now under strict review, with state health authorities collecting samples for testing.
According to RMSCL, over 1.3 lakh patients had received the same syrup since June without complaints until these cases emerged last week. Officials say this raises the possibility of batch-specific contamination.
Health department response and next steps
The Rajasthan health department has formed a three-member investigation committee to probe the matter. The panel includes RMSCL’s executive director (quality control), executive director (logistics), and the nodal officer of the Chief Minister’s Free Medicine Scheme.
A senior health official stated:
“We are checking if the drug has any adulteration. Given the company’s past record, we are particularly cautious.”
The committee will soon submit its findings. Based on its report, the government will take appropriate action against the company. In the meantime, doctors have been directed to closely monitor patients showing adverse reactions.
Families affected by the syrup have also been asked to share detailed medical histories to help trace the cause of illness.
Public health and trust concerns
The death in Sikar highlights the broader challenge of ensuring medicine safety in India’s public health system. Free medicine schemes and affordable supply chains depend heavily on reliable pharmaceutical firms. Any lapse can have tragic consequences, eroding public trust in government health services.
As the investigation unfolds, Rajasthan’s health authorities are under pressure to ensure accountability. Parents across the state are now demanding stricter oversight of drug suppliers to prevent similar incidents.