Rajasthan Health Department Confirms Cough Syrup Deaths Not Linked to Government Medicine Scheme

Health Minister Gajendra Singh previously ordered an investigation into the concerning matter.

Jaipur:

According to an official statement, the Rajasthan Health Department has confirmed that the recent deaths of two children in Bharatpur and Sikar districts were not linked to cough syrup distributed through the state's free medicine scheme.

Public Health Director Ravi Prakash Sharma stated that investigation reports verified that in both cases, the children were given the syrup at home without any medical consultation.

Sharma explained in Thursday's statement that as per established protocol, Dextromethorphan (DXM) is not prescribed to children, and confirmed that doctors had not prescribed this drug in either incident.

Earlier, Health Minister Gajendra Singh had ordered an investigation after reports emerged suggesting poor-quality cough syrup might be involved.

Following this directive, the Rajasthan Medical Services Corporation Limited (RMSCL) immediately suspended the supply and usage of the drug, established a three-member investigation committee, and sent samples for analysis at the state drug laboratory.

However, in a separate case from Sikar, a child was incorrectly prescribed a cough syrup containing DXM. In response, the Health Department initiated suspension proceedings against both the doctor and pharmacist involved for violating established protocols.

The department has subsequently issued an advisory instructing doctors to strictly adhere to prescription guidelines and ensure medications are only dispensed with proper prescriptions. Additionally, the public has been urged not to take any medicines without professional medical advice.