Cough Syrup-Related Deaths: DGHS Issues Advisory On Use In Young Children, Health Min Initiates Probe

In the aftermath of reports linking the deaths of 11 children to the alleged consumption of contaminated cough syrups, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) under the Union Health Ministry on Friday issued an advisory urging strict caution in the use of cough and cold medications, particularly in young children.

The advisory comes as part of broader efforts to ensure accountability and determine the precise cause of the fatalities reported from Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. The Ministry has confirmed that a multi-agency investigation is currently underway.

“Cough and cold medications should not be prescribed or dispensed to children under the age of two, and are generally not recommended for those below five years,” the DGHS stated.

“In older children, their use should follow careful clinical evaluation, with close supervision, strict adherence to appropriate dosing, and minimal duration of treatment. Additionally, the public should be sensitised about the importance of following doctors’ prescriptions.”

The advisory follows the deaths of nine children in Madhya Pradesh and two in Rajasthan, reportedly after administration of a syrup suspected to be spurious or inappropriate for paediatric use. Family members of the deceased stated that symptoms began with cough, cold, and fever, later escalating to acute kidney complications, eventually leading to death.

In response, the Ministry constituted a joint investigation team comprising officials from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), National Institute of Virology (NIV), and the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). The team visited the affected districts, collected samples of the syrups in question, and coordinated with State authorities.

The Ministry, in a statement, clarified that preliminary lab analysis has not identified the presence of known toxic adulterants such as Diethylene Glycol (DEG) or Ethylene Glycol (EG)—substances previously associated with fatal kidney injuries in similar cases internationally. The Madhya Pradesh State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) also tested three samples and confirmed the absence of DEG and EG.

Regarding the two child deaths in Rajasthan, the Ministry said the cough syrup implicated does not contain propylene glycol, which can sometimes serve as a vehicle for DEG/EG contamination. The formulation in question is dextromethorphan-based, a compound not recommended for paediatric use, raising further concerns over its appropriateness for children.