Rajasthan Suspends Drug Controller, Bans Kayson Pharma Medicines After Cough Syrup Deaths

In a major action in the wake of the cough syrup scandal, the Rajasthan government has suspended State Drug Controller Rajaram Sharma and stopped the sale of all 19 medicines produced by Jaipur-based Kayson Pharma with immediate effect. This was done after news came in that children had died of allegedly contaminated cough syrup in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

The Department of Health and Medical said that the Drug Controller has been suspended on charges of irregularities in setting standards for drugs. Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma has directed a detailed probe into the issue, and an expert committee will be set up.

Even the Health Minister Gajendra Singh also noticed the issue and instructed the public to maintain testing and prevention. The department released an advisory by taking strict action against the use of dextromethorphan. Principal Secretary Gayatri Rathore declared that the central government had already released an advisory in 2021, banning the use of this drug for children aged below 4 years. Now, the Drug Controller of India has reconfirmed that this drug should normally be administered only to children aged above 5 years, and not at all to children aged below 2 years.

In addition, the process of issuing warnings on medicines that may be harmful to children and pregnant women has also been initiated. Strict monitoring will also be maintained on the purchase, sale, and supply of medicines used for serious illnesses like COPD.

RMSCL Managing Director Pukhraj Sen stated that 10,119 samples of Kayson Pharma's medicines have been tested since 2012, of which 42 were found to be substandard. As a precautionary measure, the distribution of all medicines from this company has been suspended. Further action will be determined based on the expert committee's report.