3 Children Die After Consuming Cough Syrup Prescribed At Clinic, Doctors Sacked

Three children in India died after consuming a cough syrup prescribed by the doctor at a local clinic in Delhi, the national capital. The deaths sparked an investigation following which the Delhi government terminated the services of the concerned doctors Monday.

The incident occurred in October but details about the cause of death were revealed this week. According to local media reports, one of the children died on Oct. 13 after consuming cough syrup prescribed by the doctor, followed by the other two kids who also died in the same month. The victims were admitted to Kalawati Saran Children’s Hospital in New Delhi after their condition deteriorated.

Sixteen cases of dextromethorphan poisoning have been reported from Kalawati Saran hospital, of which three children died, a report by Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) that comes under Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare stated.

"These children were prescribed dextromethorphan by mohalla clinics of the Delhi government; the drug is strictly not recommended for pediatric age children. The matter had already been conveyed to the drugs control department, Delhi government," Dr Sunil Kumar, DGHS, said in a letter to the government on Dec. 7, Times Now reported.

Health Minister Satyendar Jain said an enquiry has been ordered into the incident.

“The deaths are very unfortunate and a proper investigation will be done to get to the bottom of the matter. The doctors of the mohalla clinic who were responsible have been dismissed and terminated from service. The Delhi government has also written to the Delhi Medical Council to investigate this. The government has also constituted an inquiry committee under CDMO Dr Geeta," Jain said, according to The Indian Express.

DGHS has also urged the Delhi government to issue a notice to all dispensaries and local clinics to not prescribe dextromethorphan for children less than four years of age. It also suggested withdrawing dextromethorphan drug manufactured by Omega pharmaceuticals.

Earlier this month, an infant boy in the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand died a day after he received a vaccine. The eight-month-old was given the DPT (diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus) vaccine. After the administration of the vaccine, the child's condition deteriorated and he died while on the way to a hospital the following day.