A pharmaceutical company in the Hajipur industrial area of Vaishali district, Bihar, has been closed after toxic substances were found in a children’s cough syrup produced there. The syrup had previously been banned in Telangana and Himachal Pradesh, leading to the closure of the factory. Health officials are considering further actions against the company following the discovery.
The Central Drug Inspector collected a sample of the cough syrup in October, and a recent test report revealed the presence of hazardous chemicals, including ethylene glycol. Consequently, the Central Drugs Controller has prohibited the sale, distribution, and use of the medicine. The cough syrup, intended for allergy-related symptoms in children, contained ethylene glycol, a highly toxic substance with severe health risks, especially for young individuals.
Experts have emphasized the dangers of ethylene glycol consumption, citing a previous incident in Madhya Pradesh where children died after consuming adulterated cough syrup containing the same substance. The specific batch of the medicine, identified as Batch No. AL-24002, was found to have 1.4876% ethylene glycol, posing significant health hazards. Health department sources noted that this batch was distributed only in Kishanganj district, Bihar, in limited quantities, prompting a nationwide ban after its defects were confirmed.
The company has initiated a recall of the affected batch from various locations. The presence of ethylene glycol in the medicine, even at minimal levels, is deemed unsafe for human consumption. Authorities have urged caution and vigilance regarding the use of such products to prevent health risks, particularly among children.
