NEW DELHI: Centre on Friday issued an advisory to all states and Union territories calling for a “rational use of cough syrups in the paediatric population” after nine deaths were reported in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara due to kidney-related complications.The ministry of health and family welfare informed that the tests on the cough syrup samples revealed that it did not contain “Diethylene Glycol (DEG) or Ethylene Glycol (EG), contaminants that are known to cause serious kidney injury.”Moreover, regarding the two deaths in Rajasthan, it said, the samples did not contain “Propylene Glycol, which can be potential source of contaminants, DEG/EG.” However, it noted that the products in question “is a dextromethorphan-based formulation, which is not recommended for paediatric use.” “It may be mentioned that the Director General of Health Services (DGHS) in Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, has issued an advisory to all States and Union Territories on rational use of cough syrups in paediatric population,” the statement said. “In view of the recent reports suggesting that child deaths in Madhya Pradesh were linked to consumption of cough syrups, a joint team consisting of representatives from National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), National Institute of Virology (NIV), Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), etc visited the site. Various samples were collected in coordination with the State Authorities including samples of various cough syrups. As per the test results, none of the samples contained Diethylene Glycol (DEG) or Ethylene Glycol (EG), contaminants that are known to cause serious kidney injury. The Madhya Pradesh State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) also tested three samples and confirmed absence of DEG/EG. Further blood/CSF samples have been tested by NIV Pune for common pathogens. One case has been found positive for Leptospirosis,” the ministry said.”Samples of water, entomological vectors, and respiratory specimens are under further investigation by NEERI, NIV Pune, and other laboratories. A multi-disciplinary team comprising experts from NCDC, NIV, ICMR, AIIMS Nagpur, and state health authorities is investigating all possible causes behind the reported cases. As regards the reports related to two deaths of children in Rajasthan because of contaminated cough syrup consumption, it has been clarified that the product in question does not contain Propylene Glycol, which can be potential source of contaminants, DEG/EG,” it added.
