Thiruvananthapuram: In the wake of alarming reports of child deaths in other states linked to toxic cough syrups, the Kerala Health Department has taken decisive action — banning the sale of all medicines to children below 12 years of age without a valid doctor’s prescription.
Health Minister Veena George announced that the move aims to ensure child safety and prevent misuse of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. She stressed that even old or repeated prescriptions cannot be used, as dosages must be tailored carefully to a child’s age and body weight. “Improper use of medication can do more harm than good,” she warned.
To further strengthen oversight, the government has set up a three-member expert panel consisting of the State Drugs Controller, the Child Health Nodal Officer, and the State President of the Indian Academy of Pediatrics. The panel has been asked to urgently study the use of cough medicines in children and submit its report without delay.
Although no adverse incidents have been reported in Kerala so far, the government has suspended the sale of the ‘Coldrif’ cough syrup, whose SR-13 batch has been linked to child fatalities in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. Officials confirmed that the particular batch had not been distributed in Kerala, but inspections across pharmacies are underway under the supervision of the Drugs Control Department to ensure compliance.
The Health Department’s swift response underscores Kerala’s proactive stance on child health and drug safety, as the state intensifies monitoring to prevent any potential public health risks.
