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Paediatricians and internal medicine specialists have upheld Karnataka and other government’s recent crackdown on potentially tainted cough syrups, stating that the move is both timely and scientifically sound. Medical experts emphasize most coughs in children are viral and self-limiting, requiring no syrup-based treatment. They warn that unnecessary use of such medications not only offers little benefit but can also pose serious health risks, especially when the products are contaminated or misused.
Coldriff cough syrup with Batch No. SR-13, manufactured in May 2025 by Sresan Pharma, Sunguvarchathiram, Kancheepuram district, Tamil Nadu, is apparent to be adulterated with diethylene glycol (DEG), a toxic substance resulting in child fatalities in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. The product’s expiry date is April 2027.
The medical experts opined following the Union ministry of health and family welfare and Karnataka government’s strict directives to drug inspectors and pharmacies, instructing them to identify and flag potentially tainted batches of cough syrup, intensifying surveillance at both manufacturing and retail levels to prevent further health risks.
State health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao quoting the Union ministry order said any defilements of these instructions will attract statutory action under the Karnataka Private Medical Establishments (KPME) Act, 2007, as well as under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules, 1945.
Dr. Vishwanath Bhat B K, Paediatrician and Neonatologist, Radhakrishna Multispecialty Hospital said, “As paediatricians, we welcome the government’s advisory which reinforces what science has long show that most coughs in children are self-limiting and do not require syrup-based medication. The irrational use of cough syrups with multiple drug combinations especially in infants and toddlers can cause serious toxicity and in extreme cases death. Parents often equate medicine with recovery but in children, over-medication can do more harm than good.
The focus should always be on proper clinical evaluation, hydration, rest and evidence-based care rather than symptomatic suppression. This directive is an important step toward safeguarding child health and curbing unsafe prescribing practices. Parents should not to self-medicate kids and need to consult a doctor, said Dr Bhat.
According to Dr Suresh Krishnam, internal medicine consultant, the government’s advisory discouraging the routine use of cough syrups is a move grounded in strong scientific evidence.
Most coughs, especially those caused by viral infections, are self-limiting and do not require syrup-based treatments, whether in children or adults.
In particular, polypharmacy in cough syrup, the combination of antihistamines, decongestants, bronchodilators, and cough suppressants increases the risk of toxicity, especially when misused or taken without medical supervision. While we understand the desire for quick relief, supressing cough reflex unnecessarily can sometimes even delay recovery, noted Dr Krishnam.
Dr. Parimala V Thirumalesh, sr. consultant - neonatology & paediatrics, Aster CMI Hospital, said “We paediatricians are deeply concerned about the recent adverse fatal events linked to cough syrups. For children, cough syrups can sometimes be harmful. Doctors need to carefully evaluate each child before prescribing and strictly adhere to established treatment guidelines”.
The fatalities are related to the syrup’s preservative so it is not the doctor’s fault for prescribing it. But, we can take this opportunity to re-evaluate prescribing cough suppressants to paediatrics. Every precaution is needed to prevent such tragic outcomes going forward, she added.
According to Dr Ravindra Mehta, founder and director, Vaayu Chest & Sleep Specialists, Bengaluru, Senior Consultant and head pulmonology, interventional pulmonology & sleep medicine, Apollo Hospitals, the larger issue of cough in people especially in these seasons of allergies and respiratory disease brings up the issue of whether cough syrup should be used at all. Guidelines and recommendations call to figure out the reason for the cough but that requires patience, time, evaluation and also sometimes testing.
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