After the deaths of children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan linked to contaminated cough syrup, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has launched risk-based inspections across six states, including Gujarat and Tamil Nadu.
Gujarat, which has around 500 cough syrup manufacturing units, is conducting inspections to ensure all products meet safety and quality standards. State Health Minister Rushikesh Patel has ordered an immediate probe into cough syrup sales and directed officials to review central guidelines and reports from other states.
Once inspections are completed, the state may issue new guidelines for cough syrup use. Samples of cough syrup, antibiotics, and antipyretics have been collected for testing to check for impurities, microbial contamination, and adherence to GMP norms.