Uttarakhand: FDA takes action against banned cough syrups… 170 samples collected, licenses of seven medical stores revoked

To protect children, the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FDA) is continuing its strict action against illegal, unsafe, and substandard cough syrups across the state. To date, 170 samples of cough syrup have been collected for testing across the state. Following irregularities, the licenses of seven medical stores in Dehradun district have been revoked.

On the instructions of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, the FDA is taking strict action against the sale and use of illegal, unsafe, and substandard cough syrups. FDA teams are inspecting medical stores, hospitals, and pharmaceutical companies in each district.

On Wednesday, the FDA team, led by Drug Inspector Manendra Singh Rana, conducted surprise inspections of medical stores in Chakrata Road, Kishan Nagar Chowk, Ballupur Chowk, Kanwali Road, Ballipur Chowk, and Prem Nagar areas of Dehradun. The FDA immediately banned the sale of banned cough and cold medicines for children. Stores found selling such medicines were sealed.

The FDA has instructed vendors not to sell cough syrup until further notice. The team collected 11 samples of the syrup on the spot for testing. Health Secretary Dr. R. Rajesh Kumar and Additional Commissioner Tajbar Singh Jaggi stated that the FDA’s campaign will continue. In the last four days, 170 samples of cough syrup have been sent for testing from across the state.

Licenses of these medical stores revoked
In Dehradun, the licenses of Allmed Life Sciences Balliwala, Ajanta Pharmacy GMS Road, Aarambh Enterprises Niranjanpur, BSC Cure Durga Enclave Kargi Grant, Beechem Biotech Rampurkalan Vikasnagar, Shan Medical Store Selaqui, and Smile Medical Store Herbertpur were revoked. The license of Panwar Medicos Veerbhadra Road Rishikesh was suspended.

55 samples sent for testing in Udham Singh Nagar and Haridwar
In Udham Singh Nagar district, the FDA team sent 10 samples of cough syrup for testing. Additionally, 15 samples of cough syrup were collected from Aeron Hospital, Roorkee, Vinay Vishal Hospital, and Metro Hospital, Haridwar, in Haridwar district. Three samples of cough syrup were sent for testing from the drug store of Soban Singh Jeena Base Hospital, a government hospital in Haldwani.

Children’s Health Will Not Be Compromised: Dhami
Chief Minister Dhami stated that children’s health will not be compromised. The government will take strict action against anyone who attempts to jeopardize children’s lives. Negligence regarding the quality and safety of medicines will not be tolerated. This action symbolizes the government’s commitment to protecting children’s lives.

Don’t Give Cough Syrup Without Doctor’s Advice: Rawat
Health Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat said, “The FDA’s action sends a message that the health of children in Uttarakhand is the government’s top priority. The public is urged not to give any syrup or medicine to children without a doctor’s advice. The state government is ensuring that only certified and safe medicines reach the public.”