Uttarakhand Launches Statewide Crackdown on Banned Cough Syrups
In a swift response to recent child deaths linked to toxic cough syrups in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has ordered an immediate statewide crackdown on banned medicinal syrups. Acting on his directions, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Health Department have begun conducting surprise raids across medical stores, hospitals, and wholesale distributors in all districts.
The move follows an advisory issued by the Central Government, urging all states to prevent the sale and prescription of certain harmful cough syrups for children. The Uttarakhand government has also appealed to doctors to stop prescribing banned syrups and to prioritize child safety above all else.
Health Minister Dr Dhan Singh Rawat confirmed that the crackdown aims to ensure strict enforcement of the central advisory and protect children from unsafe medications. “Any negligence concerning children’s health will not be tolerated. Our teams are conducting inspections in every district,” he said.
Government Prioritizes Child Safety and Public Health
According to Health Secretary and Commissioner, Food Safety and Drug Administration, Dr R. Rajesh Kumar, the state’s top priority is safeguarding public health. He issued immediate orders to all Chief Medical Officers to enforce the ban on restricted cough syrups without delay.
Dr Kumar emphasized that nothing outweighs the safety of children and public trust in the healthcare system. “Drug inspectors have been instructed to collect samples of cough syrups and send them to government laboratories for quality testing,” he said. “Defective or harmful medicines will be seized, and strict legal action will follow.”
The state government has banned syrups containing Dextromethorphan and combinations of chlorpheniramine maleate and phenylephrine hydrochloride for children under four years of age. These ingredients, according to health experts, can cause severe adverse reactions in young children and have been linked to fatalities in other states.
Dr Kumar also urged doctors to adhere to the central advisory and avoid prescribing such formulations. “If doctors continue prescribing banned syrups, pharmacies will continue stocking them. The responsibility begins with medical professionals,” he stated.
Raids Intensify Across Districts
Following the chief minister’s orders, the FDA has intensified raids throughout the state under the supervision of Additional Commissioner and Drug Controller Tajbar Singh Jaggi. Teams have been deployed in all districts, inspecting pharmacies, wholesalers, and hospital dispensaries to check for non-compliant products.
Jaggi personally inspected several pharmacies in Dehradun, including areas such as Jogiwala and Mohkampur, to ensure compliance. “Our teams are working continuously. If any banned syrup is found, strict action will be taken against manufacturers, suppliers, and sellers,” Jaggi said.
The FDA has also begun large-scale sampling of cough syrups from primary health centres, government hospitals, and private pharmacies across the state. These samples will undergo laboratory testing within the month to detect any toxic or substandard formulations.
Additionally, the department has appealed to the public to remain vigilant. Jaggi urged parents to consult doctors before giving medicines to children and to immediately report any adverse reactions to the nearest health facility.
CM Dhami Vows Zero Tolerance for Unsafe Medicines
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami reiterated his firm stance on public health, stating that the government would adopt a zero-tolerance policy toward the sale of unsafe or banned medicines. “There will be no compromise on child safety and medicine quality,” he said. “Public health is our top priority, and we will ensure that every medicine sold in Uttarakhand meets the highest safety standards.”
Dhami added that the government is working to strengthen the state’s drug quality monitoring system to prevent similar incidents in the future. The administration plans to upgrade testing facilities and implement a more transparent reporting mechanism for pharmacists and doctors.
Health Minister Dr Dhan Singh Rawat echoed the Chief Minister’s assurance, emphasizing that protecting children’s health remains the state’s foremost responsibility. “We are implementing the Centre’s advisory with utmost seriousness,” he said. “Any doctor or pharmacy found violating the ban will face strict disciplinary action.”