Karnataka Issues Alert on Cough Syrups Amid Child Deaths in Neighboring States

In response to child deaths connected to cough syrups in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao announced preventive measures in the state. Despite no incidents in Karnataka, the state is testing syrup samples, enforcing guidelines, and demanding national regulatory reforms.

Karnataka's Health Minister, Dinesh Gundu Rao, announced heightened vigilance in the state after reports of child fatalities linked to cough syrups in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. The Chief Minister urged an investigation, warning parents against administering syrup to children under five.

Rao assured that the substandard syrups involved haven't been supplied in Karnataka. As precautionary steps, the state is testing various syrup brands and maintaining vigilance through its drug control department.

Rao criticized the negligence of certain manufacturers and called for national laws to curb drug adulteration, advocating for seamless state-to-state information sharing. This follows incidents of deaths in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan traced to specific syrup batches.

(With inputs from agencies.)