Rajasthan Bans 22 Batches of Cough Syrup After Two Child Deaths
A government-supplied cough syrup in Rajasthan has been linked to the deaths of two children and several cases of illness in recent weeks, leading state authorities to ban 22 batches of the medicine and launch an investigation, officials confirmed on Wednesday, October 1, 2025. The syrup had been distributed through government health centres across the state.
Drug Controller Ajay Phatak said the department received multiple complaints of children falling ill after consuming the syrup. He added that inspectors have already collected samples from Sikar, Jhunjhunu, and Bharatpur districts, with laboratory reports expected within three days. He also cautioned that the medicine should not be given to children under the age of five.
The first incident came to light on Monday, September 29, when a five-year-old boy from Sikar district died just hours after being administered the syrup at a community health centre. According to Rohitashwa Kumar, Assistant Sub-Inspector at Dadiya police station, the child, Nitish, son of Mukesh Sharma, was prescribed the medicine on Sunday evening at the Chirana community health centre. His condition deteriorated overnight, and he died on Monday morning while being taken to hospital.