Delhi: Doctors who prescribed Dextromethorphan terminated from service
New Delhi: Acting on alleged Dextromethorphan poisoning case at the Kalawati Saran Hospital of the Centre-run Lady Hardinge Medical College, Delhi government on Monday terminated the service of three Mohalla Clinic doctors.
This comes after a report from the central government mentioned that the cough syrup (Dextromethorphan) prescribed by the doctors killed three children while 13 others were hospitalised.
Medical Dialogues team had earlier reported that almost five month ago, at least 16 children were admitted to Kalawati Saran Children's hospital due to poisoning allegedly caused by cough suppressant Dextromethorphan.
An inquiry was carried out by the central government that revealed that the children were poisoned by Dextromethorphan after the drug was administered to them. Subsequently, the DGHS suggested "withdrawing the Dextromethorphan in larger public interest".
Also Read: Do not prescribe Dextromethorphan for kids less than 4 years of age: DGHS
Taking note of the unfortunate incident, Delhi government on Monday sacked three doctors, reports UNI.
"Delhi government has taken strict action on the unfortunate death of three children at Delhi's Kalawati Saran Hospital. The Delhi Government has de-empanelled the services of three doctors and ordered an inquiry into the matter. Apart from this, the Delhi government has also written a letter to the Delhi Medical Council to investigate and report immediately," a statement from the state government said.
"Along with this, the Delhi Government has also constituted an inquiry committee under the leadership of CDMO Dr Geeta. The committee has been directed to submit its report within seven days," it added.
CDMO Dr Geeta will be the chairperson of this committee, while Nodal Officer ACDMO Dr Anjum Bhutia, Indu Sarna (ACDMO), MO CPA Anshul Moudgil have been made members of the committee, the statement said further.
On December 7, Dr Sunil Kumar of the Directorate General Health Services (DGHS), under the Union Health Ministry, asked the Delhi government in a letter to issue notices to stop doctors at these clinics from prescribing the drug dextromethorphan.
His letter was prompted by 16 cases of alleged dextromethorphan poisoning at the Kalawati Saran Hospital of the Centre-run Lady Hardinge Medical College.
Dr Kumar wrote in his letter that doctors at Mohalla Clinics had irrationally prescribed dextromethorphan to these children and that that was the cause of their death.
The DGHS had noted that "the drug is strictly not recommended for paediatric age children, according to the letter.
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