Kids Die After Taking Cough Syrup in Rajasthan
Rajasthan is facing alarm over suspected cough syrup deaths, after two children tragically died and several others fell sick. The situation escalated further when a senior government doctor who consumed the same syrup to reassure worried parents was later found unconscious in his car. The incident has prompted the state health authorities to ban multiple batches of the medicine, recall supplies, and begin a detailed investigation.
What Triggered the Alarm?
The crisis began when reports emerged of children falling severely ill after being given a commonly prescribed cough syrup in rural health centres.
- On 22 September, a two-year-old boy named Samrat Jatav from Bharatpur died after consuming the syrup.
- On 30 September, a five-year-old boy from Sikar district also passed away within hours of being administered the medicine.
Doctors later confirmed that eight more children between the ages of one and five developed complications in Banswara district after taking the same syrup.
Doctor Drinks Syrup to Prove It's Safe, Collapses Hours Later
In an unusual turn, Dr Tarachand Yogi, head of the Bayana Community Health Centre, drank a dose of the syrup on 24 September in front of anxious parents to convince them it was safe. However, just eight hours later, he was discovered unconscious inside his car, raising even greater concern about the medicine’s safety profile.
Government Action: Syrup Banned, Stocks Recalled
Following these events, the Rajasthan government banned 22 specific batches of the syrup and issued orders to recall stock from across the state. Officials confirmed that:
- 1.33 lakh bottles of the syrup had been distributed since July.
- Around 8,200 bottles were still in storage at Jaipur’s Sawai Man Singh Hospital at the time of the ban.
The syrup in question was manufactured and supplied by Kayson Pharma, whose further deliveries have now been suspended.
Investigations Underway
State Drug Controller Ajay Phatak informed that samples have been collected from districts including Sikar, Jhunjhunu, and Bharatpur. Laboratory testing is expected to confirm whether the formulation contained toxic substances or dosage errors.
Health officials have also issued an urgent advisory, instructing all doctors across Rajasthan to stop prescribing this syrup immediately, particularly for children under the age of five.
Families Share Their Tragedy
Families affected by the incident described heartbreaking scenes. Nehni Jatav, grandmother of one of the victims, recalled:
“Three of my grandchildren took the syrup. Two of them recovered after vomiting, but Samrat never woke up. We realised too late that the medicine was the reason.”
Conclusion
The suspected cough syrup deaths in Rajasthan highlight the urgent need for strict quality checks in pediatric medicines. Parents are advised not to administer the recalled syrup to their children while healthcare workers await test results that will confirm the exact cause of the adverse reactions.
Source: Inputs from various media Sources
I’m a pharmacist with a strong background in health sciences. I hold a BSc from Delhi University and a pharmacy degree from PDM University. I write articles and daily health news while interviewing doctors to bring you the latest insights. In my free time, you’ll find me at the gym or lost in a sci-fi novel.
- Health News and Updates,People Forum
- 3 October 2025
- 09:00
