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Kerala Health Minister Veena George warned of strict action against pharmacies selling drugs without prescription to children under 12, following the Coldrif syrup controversy.
Kerala had earlier banned the Coldrif cough syrup, which is linked to the deaths of 16 children in Madhya Pradesh. (Image for representation)
The Kerala government has warned of strict action against pharmacies in the state selling drugs without prescription to children under the age of 12, a move that has been taken in the wake of concerns over several child deaths linked to the consumption of cough syrups.
Speaking exclusively to CNN-News18, Kerala Health Minister Veena George said the government is committed to stopping the over-the-counter sale of pediatric drugs without a prescription. “We are requesting parents not to give medicines to children below the age of 12 without a prescription,” she added.
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“We have asked all pharmacies to stop selling without a prescription. We will take strict action against pharmacies who will give drugs to children below the age of 12 without a prescription,” the minister said.
George also said a committee has been constituted to study the management of cough syrups. “Parents are worried, and doctors are also concerned. The committee has submitted a report, so we will be issuing guidelines by today itself,” she told CNN-News18.
She also informed that the Kerala Health Department is providing additional training to pediatricians in the wake of a crisis surrounding the consumption of contaminated cough syrups.
Coldrif Syrup Banned In Several States
Kerala had earlier banned the sale of the Coldrif cough syrup over its connection with several child deaths in Madhya Pradesh. he action follows an ongoing probe into suspected contamination in a batch of the syrup, produced by Sresan Pharma, a manufacturer based in Tamil Nadu’s Kanchipuram district.
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Several states have banned the sale of the ‘Coldrif’ cough syrup after at least 16 children in MP’s Chhindwara and three in Rajasthan died after allegedly consuming it. Samples of the syrup were found to have traces of diethylene glycol, a highly toxic chemical that causes renal failure and death in children, above permissible levels.
George said it was unfortunate that 16 children died consuming the cough syrup and hinted that all products sold by Sresan Pharma will be banned in the state if the Tamil Nadu government cancels their licence. “We have heard that the government is going to ban this company. If they do that, we will also take appropriate action,” the minister said.
“We don’t have this particular drug in our government supply, but this brand was available in some private pharmacies. The state drug controller has asked all private hospitals and pharmacies to stop the sale of the Coldrif drug, and an order was also issued,” she said.
She had earlier said that extensive inspections are being conducted across the state to trace any additional consignments that may have reached the market through private distribution.
About the Author
Neethu Reghukumar, Principal Correspondent at CNN-News18, has 12 years of experience in both print and broadcast journalism. She covers politics, crime, health in Kerala, and has extensively reported on floods …Read More
Neethu Reghukumar, Principal Correspondent at CNN-News18, has 12 years of experience in both print and broadcast journalism. She covers politics, crime, health in Kerala, and has extensively reported on floods … Read More
Thiruvananthapuram [Trivandrum], India, India
October 07, 2025, 21:01 IST
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