PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Dehradun
Amid nationwide concern following the deaths of children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan after consumption of cough syrup, the Uttarakhand government has imposed a complete ban on cough syrup for the children below two years of age. On the directive of the State government, the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FDA) department has started conducting raids in the different parts of the State.
The Drug Controller and Additional Commissioner of FDA, Tajber Singh Jaggi told media persons on Monday that the cough syrups of the companies which caused deaths of children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan were not supplied in the State. However, the department has collected 63 samples from different parts of the State and the test report is expected in the next 15 days.
He said that there are 35 drug manufacturing companies in the State which manufacture the salt and syrup for the children. The authorities are monitoring all these companies, he said.
Jaggi informed that there are more than 24,000 medical stores in the State which are being checked by the drug inspectors. He added that following the advisory of the Union and State governments, a ban has,been imposed on sale of cough syrup for children. Departmental teams have been asked to strictly implement the advisory in all the districts. He said that the teams of the department are also checking the bulk solvents, both supplied and manufactured in the State for use in syrup and have collected samples.
He appealed to the people that they should consult a doctor before giving any kind of cough syrup to the children.
Meanwhile, the Health secretary R Rajesh Kumar has directed all district magistrates and chief medical officers tonaccord top priority to the health and safety of children. He said that the advisory issued by the Union and State government’s must be followed in letter and spirit. Kumar said that the consumption of cough syrup by children below five years of the age is not advised. The cough syrup should be used only on the advice of a specialist doctor. In most cases, the problem of cough and cold in children gets automatically cured after some days and the doctors should refrain from unnecessary usage of medicines.
