Uttarakhand News: Giving top priority to the safety of children, the Uttarakhand government under the leadership of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has started strict action against illegal, unsafe and low quality cough syrup medicines across the state. Food Safety and Drug Administration (FDA) teams are active in every district of the state. This campaign, started under the guidance of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Health Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat, has emerged as the most comprehensive action so far. Health Secretary and Commissioner Dr. R. Under the supervision of Rajesh Kumar and Additional Commissioner and Drug Controller Tajbar Singh Jaggi, surprise inspections are being conducted on drug sellers, wholesale suppliers and medical stores across the state.
Biggest raid in Dehradun
Today the FDA team conducted a massive raid in Dehradun. On the instructions of Commissioner, Food Safety and Drug Administration, the team led by Drug Inspector Manendra Singh Rana conducted surprise inspection of medical stores in Chakrata Road, Kishannagar Chowk, Ballupur Chowk, Kanwali Road, Ballipur Chowk and Premnagar areas. During the inspection, the purchase and sale of cough and cold medicines given to children was immediately banned. The shops where these medicines were stored were sealed on the spot. Sellers were directed not to sell these medicines until further notice. During inspection, it was also found that many vendors had already removed these medicines from the shop on their own cognizance. The team took 11 syrup samples on the spot for testing. During investigation, syrups like Coldrif, Respifresh-TR and Relife were not found available in any medical store.
40 samples sent to Udham Singh Nagar for testing
As part of the action against cough syrup made for children in the state, the drug department team has intensified the campaign in Udham Singh Nagar district. Under the leadership of Senior Drug Inspector Neeraj Kumar and Drug Inspector Nidhi Sharma, a total of 10 pediatric cough syrup samples have been taken from different areas of the district for testing. Elements like Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide, Chlorpheniramine Maleate and Phenylepherine Hydrochloride have been found in these syrups. Till now, a total of 40 cough syrup samples from the district have been collected in Form-17 and sent to the laboratory for analysis.
Strict action taken in Haridwar and Roorkee also, 15 samples sent for testing
In the same sequence, the pharmaceutical department has further intensified the campaign in Haridwar district also. On the instructions of the Additional Commissioner, a total of 15 cough syrup samples have been taken for testing from Roorkee’s Airon Hospital, Vinay Vishal Hospital and Haridwar’s Metro Hospital. During this action under the leadership of Drug Inspector Anita Bharti, samples taken from the concerned establishments have been sent for analysis. According to departmental data, a total of 39 samples have been taken for testing so far from Haridwar district.
Samples taken from government hospital in Haldwani
FDA action continued in Haldwani of Nainital district also. Three cough syrup samples were taken from the drug store of Soban Singh Jeena Base Hospital for testing. All the samples have been sent to Drug Analysis Laboratory, Dehradun for quality testing.
Stock of ‘Respifresh TR’ syrup seized in Kotdwar
The FDA team launched a raid operation in Kotdwar in Pauri district from last night, which continued even today. During the operation, the stock of Respifresh TR cough syrup, declared lethal, was seized from many medical stores. Even today the team has taken three new samples from different establishments for testing.
Strict action in Chaukhutia-Chandikhet also
Today the FDA team raided six medical stores in Chaukhutia and Chandikhet of Almora district. During inspection, 12 bottles of Respifresh TR syrup (Batch No. R01GL2523) were seized. This syrup has already been declared NSQ (Non-Suitable Quality). The team collected four cough syrup samples for testing.
4 samples were taken in Rudraprayag, samples sent for testing
In Tilwara area of Rudraprayag district, a team of drug inspectors inspected retail and wholesale establishments and collected four samples for cough syrup. The quality checking process of medicines has been started.
Ban on four syrups in Uttarkashi
The raid was conducted in Uttarkashi district under the leadership of Drug Inspector Mohammad Tajim. The team collected samples of four types of cough syrups used in children and sent them to the laboratory in Dehradun. The drug inspector warned all medical store operators not to stock or sell the following syrups under any circumstances — Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide Syrup (KL-25/148), Coldrif (SR-13), Respifresh TR (R01GL2523) and Relife (LSL25160). Instructions were also given that cough syrup should not be given at all to children below 5 years of age and adults should also be given medicines only on the advice of a doctor.
So far 148 samples have been sent for testing
During the ongoing raids across the state, so far 148 samples have been sent for testing. Along with this, today 11 samples have been taken in Dehradun, 3 in Kotdwar, 3 in Haldwani, 4 in Almora, 4 in Rudraprayag and 4 in Uttarkashi. During the campaign, notices have been issued to dozens of establishments and suspicious stock has been seized and sealing action has been taken at many places.
Statement of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that there will be no compromise on the health of children. Our government is strict against every element that will try to play with the lives of children. Any kind of negligence on the quality and safety of medicines will not be tolerated. This action symbolizes the government’s commitment to safeguard the lives of children.
Statement of Health Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat
Health Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat said that FDA’s action is giving the message that children’s health is the top priority in Uttarakhand. There is an appeal to the public not to give any syrup or medicine to children without doctor’s advice. The state government is ensuring that only certified and safe medicines reach the public.
Health Secretary and Commissioner Dr. R. Rajesh Kumar’s statement
Health Secretary and Commissioner Dr. R. Rajesh Kumar said that FDA teams are active across the state. After the report of the syrups which have been sent for investigation, legal action will be taken against the culprits. Clear instructions have been given to medical stores in all the districts to immediately remove medicines of suspicious batch numbers.
Statement of Drug Controller Tajbar Singh Jaggi
Additional Commissioner and Drug Controller Tajbar Singh Jaggi said that FDA’s campaign will continue. In the last four days, 27 samples have been taken for testing and notices have been issued to many establishments. The teams of the department are active in the field day and night. Our goal is to completely eliminate any unsafe drug from the market.
FDA’s appeal to the public
FDA has appealed to the people of the state that if the above banned syrup is found with any medical store or distributor, then immediately inform the local drug inspector or FDA office. The department has clarified that after the investigation report comes, license cancellation, fine and other legal action will be taken against the establishments found guilty.
The decisive step taken by the Uttarakhand government under the leadership of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami regarding the health of children is a new example of health security in the state. This campaign of the pharmaceutical department is not only playing an important role in banning suspicious medicines, but is also giving the message that the Indian government is fully committed to the safety of children and public health.
