Rajasthan Health Minister Denies Link Between Child Deaths and Cough Syrups, Cites Other Illnesses

Jaipur, Rajasthan: Rajasthan Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khinvsar has denied reports that recent child deaths in the state were linked to contaminated cough syrup. Addressing a press conference in Jaipur, he stated that the deceased children were suffering from different illnesses, including meningitis and respiratory infections, and not from consumption of government-supplied medicines.

“No child has died from cough syrup. One had meningitis, another had a respiratory infection. The medicine has been tested and found safe,” said Khinvsar.

The minister, however, acknowledged the risks associated with administering adult medicines to children, admitting that such errors can be harmful. His clarification came amid reports of 11 child deaths — nine in Madhya Pradesh and two in Rajasthan — allegedly linked to a tainted cough syrup brand.

Khinvsar further revealed that a new system will soon be introduced to label medicines more clearly, indicating whether they are suitable for children and pregnant women.

He also dismissed allegations of negligence within the government, claiming that “our doctors did not prescribe the syrup; in one case, it was given by a nurse and a pharmacist.”

Despite insisting that laboratory tests declared the syrup safe, Khinvsar appeared uneasy when pressed for more details about the ongoing probe into the product’s safety. The press meet was cut short after about ten minutes.

The controversy began when three children reportedly died in Rajasthan after consuming Gatiman Cough Syrup, leading to its immediate ban on September 28. Following the incident, the Rajasthan government suspended State Drug Controller Rajaram Sharma for irregularities in drug testing and distribution, accusing him of influencing standards.

The Medical and Health Department has also stopped the supply of 19 medicines manufactured by Jaipur-based Kaysons Pharma and all other syrups containing dextromethorphan, pending further investigation.

Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma has taken serious note of the situation, ordering an expert committee probe. Officials noted that the Union government had already issued an advisory in 2021 against giving dextromethorphan to children under four years of age, while the Drug Controller General of India recently reiterated that it should not be given to children below two.

According to officials, since 2012, over 10,000 samples of Kaysons Pharma’s medicines have been tested, with 42 failing to meet required standards. The health minister reaffirmed that government stock medicines have passed four rounds of testing but said fresh sampling is being conducted wherever doubts remain.