Giving top priority to the safety of children and public health, the Uttarakhand government has launched a strict campaign against banned cough syrups and medicines across the state. On the instructions of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Health Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat, joint teams from the Health Department and the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FDA) are conducting raids on medical stores, wholesalers, and hospital pharmacies in all districts of the state. This campaign was initiated following recent incidents of children dying from cough syrup consumption in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. Considering this a serious public health issue, the Uttarakhand government has initiated prompt action. *Immediate action on the Central Government’s advisory* Health Secretary and Commissioner, Food Safety and Drug Administration (FDA), Dr. R. Rajesh Kumar, issued orders to all Chief Medical Officers, directing them to implement the Government of India’s advisory in the state with immediate effect. He stated that there can be no more important issue than the safety of children and public health. He issued clear instructions that drug inspectors should collect samples of cough syrups in a phased manner and have their quality laboratory tested, so that any defective or harmful medication can be immediately removed from the market. Doctors should not prescribe banned syrups for children* Dr. R. Rajesh Kumar urged all doctors in the state to take cognizance of the central government’s advisory and not prescribe banned cough syrups for children. Dr. R. Rajesh Kumar stated that if doctors prescribe these syrups, medical stores will also sell them. Therefore, it is important that doctors themselves exercise responsibility and avoid using banned medications. Which medications are banned* According to the Government of India’s advisory—* Children under two years of age should not be given any type of cough or cold medication without a doctor’s advice. The general use of these medications is not recommended for children under five years of age. They should only be used on the advice of a specialist physician, in the correct dosage, and for the minimum duration. The government has specifically banned syrups containing Dextromethorphan and medicines containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate + Phenylephrine Hydrochloride combinations for children under four years of age. *Raids and Sampling Campaigns Across the State* Following this order, raids are being conducted on a war footing across the state under the leadership of Tajbar Singh Jaggi, Additional Commissioner, Food Safety and Drug Administration and Drug Controller. The Additional Commissioner himself inspected drug stores in several areas, including Jogiwala and Mohkampur in Dehradun. Drug inspectors in all districts have been instructed to collect samples of syrups from government hospitals, primary health centers, and retail stores within this month and have them tested in the laboratory. Tajbar Singh Jaggi stated that FDA teams are active throughout the state. If any defects are found at any level, strict legal action will be taken against the concerned company or seller. *Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s Strong Message – Public Health is Paramount* Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami stated that there will be no compromise on the safety of children and the health of the public. He stated, “We are committed to ensuring that every medicine sold in the state is safe and of standard quality. Public health is our top priority, and any laxity regarding children’s safety will not be tolerated.” He further stated that the government is also working to further strengthen the drug quality monitoring system in the state. *Negligence in children’s medicines is unacceptable – Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat* Health Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat stated that the state government is strictly following the central government’s advisory. Any negligence related to children’s medicines will not be tolerated. All doctors and pharmacists have been instructed not to prescribe or sell the banned syrup. This step is essential to protect children’s safety and public health. *Appeal to the public – Do not give medicines to children without a doctor’s advice* FDA The government has begun sampling cough syrups across the state. Additional Commissioner, Food Safety and Drug Administration, and Drug Controller, Tajbar Singh Jaggi, appealed to the public to consult a doctor before giving any medicine to children. If any adverse effects are observed after taking any medicine, contact the nearest health center or hospital immediately
