Probe Launched Against Rajasthan Pharma Firm Over Dextromethorphan Syrup-Linked Death
Jaipur: The death of a five-year-old boy in Sikar district has raised serious concerns about the safety of a cough syrup manufactured by Kaysons Pharma, prompting the Rajasthan health department to launch a full investigation. Several other children in Sikar and Bharatpur have also reported adverse reactions after consuming the same medicine.
The drug in question is Dextromethorphan HBr Syrup IP 13.5mg/5ml. Officials confirmed that two batches — KL-25/147 and KL-25/148 — were linked to cases of vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, anxiety, restlessness, and loss of consciousness in children.
In response, RMSCL has constituted a three-member panel that includes its executive directors for quality control and logistics, along with the nodal officer of the chief minister’s free medicine scheme. Officials said the committee will submit its findings shortly, after which appropriate action will be taken in accordance with the rules.
According to a report by The Times of India, Kaysons Pharma has a history of regulatory lapses. The firm was blacklisted for two years in June 2022 after a Rajasthan Medical Services Corporation Ltd (RMSCL) inquiry found it had defaulted on state supply contracts. Despite repeated purchase orders, the company either failed to deliver medicines or supplied them only partially, the order stated.
Following the latest incident, health teams collected syrup samples from Sikar on Tuesday for laboratory testing. “We are checking if the drug has any adulteration. Given the company’s past record, we are particularly vigilant in this case,” a senior health official told TOI.
RMSCL has already suspended the distribution of the suspect batches. Officials are also reviewing treatment records and speaking to affected families to piece together the sequence of events.
The first complaint was flagged on September 28 by the chief medical health officer of Bharatpur regarding batch KL-25/147. A day later, a similar complaint came from Sikar involving batch KL-25/148. “Since June, over 1.3 lakh patients have received the same cough syrup, but no complaint was reported until September 28,” a senior RMSCL official told TOI.
In response, RMSCL has set up a three-member committee comprising its executive directors for quality control and logistics, along with the nodal officer of the chief minister’s free medicine programme. “The committee will soon submit its report, and necessary action will be taken as per rules,” an official confirmed.
