‘Killer Cough Syrup’ Scandal Rocks Himachal — Nexa DS Banned After Child Deaths, Pharma Unit Sealed
Una (Himachal Pradesh):
The Himachal-based pharmaceutical company that manufactured the now-banned Nexa DS cough syrup has been sealed after several children reportedly died due to kidney failure linked to the medicine.
The incident has triggered nationwide outrage and raised serious questions over the functioning of the state’s drug regulatory system.
Initial lab reports from Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara district, where the deaths occurred, pointed to possible contamination of the syrup with Diethylene Glycol (DEG) — a toxic chemical often used in industrial solvents. At least six children under the age of nine died after consuming the syrup, which was manufactured in Una and supplied to several northern states.
Following the deaths, the Himachal Pradesh government ordered an immediate halt on the production and distribution of Nexa DS and sealed the company premises.
State Drug Controller officials said samples have been sent for detailed testing by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).
However, the regulatory lapses have come under sharp criticism, with questions being raised on why the state drug department failed to monitor quality despite repeated failures of samples from pharma units in the Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh and Una belts — India’s largest pharmaceutical hub.
Adding to the controversy, the Assistant Drug Controller posted in Dharamshala is already under the Enforcement Directorate’s scanner, deepening public mistrust in the state’s drug control system.
The Union Health Ministry has also advised that no cough or cold syrups be prescribed to children below two years of age until safety tests are verified.
The Himachal government has assured a high-level probe into the case, as anger grows over repeated drug safety failures from units operating in the state.
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