Uttarakhand has launched a statewide crackdown on banned and potentially dangerous cough syrups, intensifying drug safety inspections after reports of child fatalities linked to contaminated formulations in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.
Acting on instructions from Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FDA) has initiated extensive raids across all districts, collecting 63 drug samples for laboratory testing to ensure public safety, particularly for children.
State on high alert over toxic syrups
The campaign was announced during a press conference in Dehradun by Additional Commissioner and Drug Controller Tajwar Singh Jaggi, who emphasised that the move is a 'precautionary measure' following incidents of acute kidney injury and deaths among children in neighbouring states due to toxic cough syrups.
These cases have been linked to industrial contaminants such as diethylene glycol (DEG) and ethylene glycol, substances that are toxic even in small amounts and can cause severe neurological and renal damage. The World Health Organization has previously issued global alerts after similar tragedies in The Gambia and Uzbekistan, where contaminated syrups led to multiple child deaths.
In response, Uttarakhand’s FDA has directed drug control officers in every district to collect samples from medical stores, wholesalers, hospital pharmacies, and manufacturing units. Both finished cough syrup products and raw materials—such as polyethylene glycol and sorbitol—are being tested to detect any contamination at the production level. So far, 63 samples have been dispatched to authorised laboratories, with results pending. Strict action, including license cancellations and legal proceedings, will follow if any violations are confirmed.
Public urged to avoid self-medication
Jaggi issued a strong public advisory urging parents not to administer any cough syrup or medication to children without consulting a qualified doctor. He warned against using expired, opened, or unlabelled medicines stored at home, noting that degraded formulations can pose serious health risks. “Children’s health is non-negotiable. We cannot afford any compromise,” Jaggi said, stressing that even minor symptoms like cold, cough, or fever should be evaluated by a physician before treatment.
The FDA is also educating the public on safe medicine disposal, advising households to discard unused or partially consumed syrups properly to prevent accidental ingestion. Officials are conducting outreach through local media and health networks to amplify awareness, particularly in rural areas where access to medical guidance may be limited.
Diwali food safety drive underway
Parallel to the drug safety campaign, the FDA has intensified surveillance on food items ahead of Diwali. With festive consumption expected to rise, teams have increased monitoring at state borders and are conducting random sampling of sweets, snacks, and packaged foods to check for adulteration. Past Diwali seasons have seen spikes in cases of food contamination, prompting the department to adopt a proactive stance this year. Strict penalties, including fines and business closures, will be imposed on violators.
Central and state coordination
The state government is operating in close coordination with the Union ministry of health, implementing its advisory on drug safety across all districts. Commissioner of Food Safety and Drug Administration R. Rajesh Kumar has directed district magistrates and chief medical officers to ensure compliance and conduct regular inspections of drug outlets and manufacturing facilities. CM Dhami and Health Minister Dhan Singh Rawat are receiving daily updates on the campaign’s progress.
Jaggi reiterated that the FDA’s mission is to ensure that only "safe, quality-assured medicines and food products" reach consumers.
"This is not a temporary drive—it is an ongoing, zero-tolerance effort to protect every household,” he said. The department has appealed for cooperation from citizens and the media to help spread awareness and report suspicious products.
As the investigation continues, health officials remain vigilant, with additional testing rounds planned in the coming weeks. The FDA has also set up a helpline for public complaints and information, reinforcing its commitment to transparency and rapid response