Odisha freezes cough syrup deliveries in Bargarh following Central advisory

Following an advisory from the Central Ministry of Health, Odisha has stepped up vigilance regarding the distribution of cough syrup in the state.

As per reports, authorities have started tracking how much cough syrup has arrived in the state and which districts it has been sent to.

In August, cough syrup was reportedly delivered to the Bargarh district of Odisha, as well as to Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Puducherry. According to the State Drug Controller, Mamina Patnaik, as many as 130 bottles of cough syrup were sent specifically to Bargarh district. No one has reportedly used the cough syrup so far.

Patnaik emphasized that there is no cause for concern at present, as the Central Ministry advisory is being strictly followed.

Also Read: Centre advises against prescribing cough syrups to children below 2 years

The vigilance comes after reports from Madhya Pradesh, where there were allegations of some children's deaths following the consumption of cough syrup. 

"Cough syrup was delivered in Rajasthan, Puducherry, and Madhya Pradesh. Some cough syrup was also delivered in Odisha. As per the available data, only 130 bottles of cough syrup were sent to Bargarh. However, it has not been distributed to anybody. We have stopped it at the wholesale level, and hence we don't have to panic. It has not been distributed and sold to anybody in the treatable stage. Nobody has consumed it. The Government of India has issued a precautionary advisory, as we need to be careful while giving it to the small children. As children are very sensitive to any allopathic medicines, cough syrup has been prohibited for children below two years as a precautionary measure. It has not been banned; rather, an advisory has been issued for prohibition for the time being," said State Drug Controller, Mamina Patnaik.