Kerala (Thiruvananthapuram): Health Minister Veena George has announced a ban on all medicines manufactured by Sresan Pharmaceuticals, a company based in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu. This decision follows the cancellation of the company’s manufacturing license by the Tamil Nadu Drugs Controller. Consequently, these medicines are prohibited from distribution and sale within Kerala.
In a related development, the Gujarat Drugs Controller reported that Respifresh TR syrup (60ml, Batch No. R01GL2523), produced by Rednex Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd., Ahmedabad, failed to meet required quality standards. In response, the Kerala Drugs Control Department has immediately halted the distribution and sale of this medicine throughout the state. The syrup had been distributed by five suppliers in Kerala, all of whom have now been instructed to stop its distribution. Strict action will be taken against anyone found selling the drug illegally.
The public has been advised not to use this medicine if they currently possess it. The Health Minister clarified that these banned medicines are not supplied through government hospitals. Additionally, strict action will be taken against establishments that provide this medicine to children under 12 years of age without a prescription from a registered doctor.
Earlier, following the death of at least 14 children after consuming Coldrif syrup in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara, the Kerala government constituted a committee to submit a report on the management of pediatric cough syrups. On Tuesday, Kerala Health Minister Veena George stated that the State Drugs Controller has imposed a ban on the specific cough syrup Coldrif, and the Kerala Medical Services Corporation Limited (KMSCL) does not supply this syrup to government hospitals.
Speaking to ANI, Minister Veena George said, “It’s unfortunate that 16 children died after consuming the cough syrup Coldrif. The Government of India has issued an advisory regarding the consumption of cough syrup. In Kerala, the Drugs Controller has issued a notification banning the sale of this particular cough syrup Coldrif in all pharmacies across the state.”
She further emphasized, “ColdRif is not included in our essential drugs list. It is not provided by KMSCL, which supplies medicines to government hospitals. However, we are ensuring that the sale of this syrup is completely stopped in private hospitals and pharmacies.”
The Minister noted that the committee on pediatric cough syrups will soon submit its report to the Kerala Government. “We have previously taken similar strict enforcement actions regarding antibiotics within the state. This committee specifically focuses on the management of pediatric cough, ensuring irrelevant combinations are not present in syrups. We plan to issue comprehensive guidelines concerning pediatric cough management, which is crucial,” she explained.
Minister Veena George also raised concerns about medical prescriptions saying, “Doctors have been prescribing cough syrups to children under the age of two years, which is neither advisable nor scientific. We do have protocols in place prohibiting cough syrup administration to children under two.”
She added, “This incident highlights the disregard for these protocols. The Kerala Health Department has instructed the Drugs Controller to issue notices to pharmacies prohibiting the sale of pediatric drugs without a doctor’s prescription.”
The Kerala government remains committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of children by strictly regulating the distribution and sale of pediatric medicines across the state.
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https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/kerala-bans-all-sresan-pharmaceuticals-medicines-from-sale-following-tamil-nadu-license-cancellation