Concerns surrounding a child’s death in Rajasthan’s Sikar district have intensified, drawing attention to a specific Dextromethorphan syrup. Initially, investigations reveal the attending doctor did not prescribe the cough syrup. Furthermore, the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Jhunjhunu district did not supply it, despite claims to the contrary. Authorities are actively probing the incident, collecting samples for drug testing to determine the exact cause of death.
Investigating the Dextromethorphan Syrup Incident
Nityansh Sharma, a child from Sikar, reportedly fell ill and subsequently died after consuming Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide syrup. Similarly, another three-year-old child in Bharatpur experienced comparable complications after allegedly consuming the same syrup. Additionally, a two-year-old girl in Jaipur was hospitalized in an unconscious state after consuming a government-supplied dextromethorphan hydrobromide syrup; fortunately, her condition is now stable.
However, officials assert that they do not supply Dextromethorphan syrup to Jhunjhunu district under the state government’s free medicine scheme. This fact casts doubt on how the medicine was obtained from a CHC in that area. The deceased child visited a doctor on September 22. Interestingly, the prescription did not include Dextromethorphan. Promptly, State Health Minister Gajendra Singh ordered a probe to investigate the medicine’s safety. Given the context of medication safety and prescription practices, this incident highlights the importance of rigorous training. Professionals seeking to enhance their understanding of safe medication handling and prescription protocols can benefit from a Certification Course In Safe Prescribing.
Investigators link the case to a particular batch. Consequently, they collected samples and sent them to the state drug testing laboratory for analysis. Normally, this process takes 8-10 days, yet it has been fast-tracked. Officials expect the report by October 2, 2025. Meanwhile, authorities halted the supply and distribution of all other batches of the drug across the state as a precautionary measure.
Regulatory Scrutiny and Past Concerns with Dextromethorphan
The state government has established a three-member committee. This committee will evaluate the test findings and decide on appropriate next steps. Authorities are preparing a notice for the cough syrup manufacturer, Kayson Pharma. Strict action, however, will only follow once the test report is received. Intriguingly, Kayson Pharma has a history of controversy; a different batch of their cough medicine was deemed “not of standard” in October 2023. While the official did not comment on specific manufacturing concerns, they confirmed that the Rajasthan Medical Services Corporation Limited (RMSC) oversees procurement for the state’s free medicine scheme. Moreover, NABL-certified labs test all drug batches for quality before distribution.
Notably, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has previously banned several Fixed-Dose Combinations (FDC) containing Dextromethorphan. These bans, occurring in June 2023 and August 2024, resulted from safety and quality issues. The list included FDC combinations marketed as cough syrups. In April 2025, CDSCO again cracked down on 35 unapproved FDCs, including certain cough syrups, urging immediate cessation of production and sale. It is important to remember that the drug linked with the current case in Rajasthan involves a single ingredient: Dextromethorphan, not an FDC. The concerns raised by the CDSCO regarding Fixed-Dose Combinations (FDC) highlight the critical need for specialized knowledge in drug regulation and safety. Professionals interested in this area might find value in exploring Pharmacy Speciality Courses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Was the Dextromethorphan syrup prescribed or supplied by a government health center in the Sikar case?
A: Initial investigations by a senior state health ministry official suggest the attending doctor did not prescribe the cough syrup. Furthermore, the Community Health Centre (CHC) in the Jhunjhunu district did not supply it. The official stated that they do not supply Dextromethorphan syrup to Jhunjhunu under the state’s free medicine scheme.
Q2: What actions has the government taken following the child’s death?
A: The State Health Minister ordered an immediate probe. Investigators collected samples of the specific batch for fast-tracked laboratory analysis. As a precautionary measure, authorities halted the supply and distribution of all other batches of the drug across Rajasthan. A three-member committee has been formed to assess findings, and a notice is being prepared for the manufacturer, Kayson Pharma.
Q3: Have there been previous concerns about Dextromethorphan-containing drugs in India?
A: Yes, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has previously banned several Fixed-Dose Combinations (FDCs) of Dextromethorphan. These bans occurred in June 2023, August 2024, and April 2025 due to safety and quality concerns. The current case in Rajasthan, however, involves a single-ingredient Dextromethorphan syrup.
References
- Cough syrup linked with child’s death in Sikar neither prescribed nor suppliedto district: Govt Official – ETHealthworld
- 3 kids dead after taking syrup prescribed by mohalla clinics – The Hindu.
- Child dies after taking coughsyrup in Sikar, probe ordered | Jaipur News – The Times of India.
- Do children even need cough syrup? Rajasthan deaths revive the debate – India Today.
- Cough syrup row: Now a girl falls sick in Jaipur – First India.
- Cough syrup death case: Disease control agency collects samples as probe begins.
- 3 Children Die After Consuming Cough Syrup Prescribed By Delhi Clinic – NDTV.
- Govt bans 156 commonly used combination medicines—Check full list here.
- Rajasthan Latest News, Rajasthan Top Stories, Updates, Photos, Videos – India Today.
- Rajasthan govt bans cough syrup after patients fall ill in Bharatpur and Sikar – SakshiPost.
- Health ministry bans 156 FDCs with immediate effect – Pharmabiz.com.
- CDSCO Cracks Down on 35 Unapproved FDCs including Antibiotics, Analgesics and Cough Syrups, Warns Strict Action – Moneylife.
- Rajasthan Kid Dies After Taking Cough Syrup: एक बच्चे की मौत, खांसी की दवा या जहर?। Death । Top News.
- Rajasthan Cough Syrup: राजस्थान में कफ सिरप बना 'जहर'! बच्चे की मौत पर भड़कीं दिया कुमारी, कहा- 'अब तो खैर नहीं…'.
- Union Government Banned 14 Fixed Dose Combination (FDC) Drugs Used To Treat Common Ailments – Algen Healthcare.
- Govt prohibits 14 FDC Drugs, Citing Safety Concerns | The Health Master.
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