These cough syrups declared toxic in India: Are ayurvedic syrups safe?
The Drugs Controller General of India has also urged all drug controllers in the country to ensure that finished formulations and raw materials are tested before being released to the market.
The Drugs Controller General of India has also urged all drug controllers in the country to ensure that finished formulations and raw materials are tested before being released to the market.
The Drugs Controller General of India has also urged all drug controllers in the country to ensure that finished formulations and raw materials are tested before being released to the market.
Tamil Nadu-based Sresan Pharmaceuticals owner G Ranganathan was nabbed by Madhya Pradesh and Chennai cops today, in connection with the death of children allegedly after using their cough syrup Coldrif. Documents were also seized from his factory in Kancheepuram, which was sealed a few days ago. Meanwhile, alongside Coldrif, which has now been banned in multiple Indian states, two others have also been declared toxic - Respifresh TR and Relife. Although the two are not linked to any deaths, unlike Coldrif, they were found to be contaminated with Diethylene Glycol, also known as DEG.
Respifresh TR, manufactured by Gujarat-based Rednex Pharmaceuticals, was found to have 1.342 per cent DEG and Relife, a product of Shape Pharma, also from Gujarat, had 0.626 per cent DEG. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has also agreed to hear a PIL seeking a CBI inquiry and reform of the system for drug safety in the country. As of today, 22 children have lost their lives due to suspected kidney failure, following alleged cough syrup intake. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has also asked Indian authorities whether the medicine, which resulted in the death of the children, was exported to other countries. The Drugs Controller General of India has also urged all drug controllers in the country to ensure that finished formulations and raw materials are tested before being released to the market.
Are Ayurvedic syrups safe?
Amid the controversy, Dr RP Parasher, the national president of the All India Doctors Association of Indian System, claimed that Ayurvedic cough syrups, home remedies and herbs are safe to be given to children over the age of two. According to him, if children under the age of six are suffering from a cough, their chest should be gently massaged with warm oil or ghee. He said that as Ayurvedic cough syrups contain herbs such as amaranth, basil, liquorice, talispatra, bay leaf, cinnamon, black pepper, long pepper, mint, pushkarmool, and kakadsingi as their main ingredients, they are safe for consumption. Kids can also be given 'sitopaladi' powder and Talishadi powder mixed in honey, for cough, said Dr Parasher.
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(With PTI inputs)