The Indian Cough Syrup Controversy: A Crisis of Contamination, Regulation, and Public Health
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: General Science (Health, Diseases, Chemicals in news - Diethylene Glycol); Indian Polity and Governance (Drug Regulation in India, Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation - CDSCO).
Mains:
General Studies Paper 2 (Health & Governance): Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health; Government policies and interventions.
General Studies Paper 3 (Economy): The impact of such incidents on India's pharmaceutical industry, often called the "pharmacy of the world".
Key Highlights from the News
The Union Health Ministry states that cough syrups that caused the deaths of children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan do not contain toxins.
However, the Tamil Nadu Drugs Control Department found that a batch of 'Coldrif' cough syrup, allegedly responsible for the deaths in Madhya Pradesh, contained Diethylene Glycol (DEG), a toxic substance that damages kidneys. Following this, the manufacturers were asked to stop production.
This contradiction points to shortcomings in drug quality regulation in India and a lack of coordination between central and state agencies.
Authorities state that dextromethorphan, the medicine that caused deaths in Rajasthan, should not be used in children and was given without a doctor's prescription. This highlights the dangers of self-medication.
In 2022, DEG-contaminated cough syrups manufactured in India also caused the deaths of 70 children in the African country of the Gambia.
The Union Health Ministry has issued strict directives to states to ensure the rational use of cough syrups in children, especially those under two years of age, and to administer them only with a doctor's prescription. 💊
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