The Uttarakhand government has initiated a major statewide campaign against allegedly unsafe and 'lethal' cough syrups. This action comes in response to growing concerns about children’s health and safety. So far, 170 samples have been sent for testing, and licenses of seven shops in Dehradun have been revoked.
According to an official statement, Health Secretary and Commissioner Dr. R. Rajesh Kumar and Drug Controller Tajbar Singh Jaggi are supervising the FDA teams, conducting surprise inspections across districts.
Officials describe this endeavor as one of the state's most extensive drug safety campaigns, monitored by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Health Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat.
Largest Operation in Dehradun
Officials claim the largest operation to date took place in Dehradun. Under the commissioner's orders, teams led by Drug Inspector Manendra Singh Rana conducted inspections across regions including Chakrata Road, Kishannagar Chowk, and Prem Nagar.
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Authorities reported the immediate halt on sales of some pediatric cough and cold syrups, sealing medical stores that stocked these products on-site. Samples of 11 syrups were collected for investigation, while some brands like Coldrif, Respifresh-TR, and Relife were not found during inspections.
Operations in Other Districts as Well
In Udham Singh Nagar, the department sent 40 samples of pediatric cough syrups to labs for examination. Similar operations occurred in Haridwar and Roorkee, collecting 15 samples from hospitals like Airon Hospital, Vinay Vishal Hospital, and Metro Hospital.
In Haldwani, samples were gathered from the Sobhan Singh Jeena Base Hospital’s pharmacy, while in Kotdwar, stocks of Respifresh TR syrup were seized. Inspections in Almora district in Chokhutia and Chandi Khet also led to the seizure of 12 bottles from the same batch, previously declared of 'substandard quality.'
Samples were also collected from Rudraprayag and Uttarkashi, where officials warned local vendors against selling four specific syrup brands. Government data shows a total of 148 samples were dispatched for laboratory analysis from across Uttarakhand. Several medical stores in different districts received notices, with suspect stocks being seized and sealed.
Read more: 'Ensure all cough syrups are tested...', DGHS directs state governments after 20 deaths due to cough medicine
Operation Will Continue, Says Health Secretary
Health Secretary Dr. R. Rajesh Kumar stated that upon receiving the investigation reports, strict legal action will be taken against those selling unsafe medicines. Tajbar Singh Jaggi, Drug Controller, mentioned that FDA teams continue active fieldwork, and operations will persist until all unsafe syrups are eradicated from the market.
The FDA urges residents to report any sales or storage of the listed cough syrups to local drug inspectors or the department office. Based on laboratory reports, the government may cancel licenses, levy fines, or undertake additional legal measures against violators.
