Do Not Administer Medicines to Children Below 12 Without Doctor’s Prescription: Minister Veena George
Thiruvananthapuram: Health Minister Veena George announced the formation of a three-member expert committee to study the use of cough medicines for children in the state and submit an urgent report. The committee comprises the State Drugs Controller, the Child Health Nodal Officer, and the State President of the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP). The Minister clarified that based on this committee’s report, the state would issue specific guidelines regarding the use of cough medicines for children.
Medicines should not be given to children under 12 years of age without a registered doctor’s prescription. Old prescriptions should also not be used to administer medicines to children. Instructions regarding this have been given to the Drugs Controller, and public awareness campaigns will be strengthened. Doctors determine the dosage of medicines for children based on their weight, therefore, a medicine prescribed for one child should not be given to other children as it can cause more harm than good.
A high-level meeting was convened under the leadership of Health Minister Veena George. Doctors at the meeting confirmed that no issues related to cough syrup have been reported among children in Kerala. Strong awareness campaigns will be conducted to educate the public and alleviate concerns. Instructions have also been given to specifically investigate if there are any related cases. Training will be provided to pediatricians and other doctors in collaboration with the IAP.
Intensive inspections are being conducted across the state under the leadership of the Drugs Control Department. Following reports of problems found outside Kerala with batch S.R. 13 of Coldrif syrup, the State Drugs Control Department has suspended its sale in Kerala. This particular batch of medicine was distributed in Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, and Puducherry. Additionally, issues have been identified with a cough syrup from another company in Rajasthan. It was confirmed that these problematic batches were not sold in Kerala. Coldrif medicine is distributed in Kerala through 8 suppliers.
The meeting was attended by the Additional Chief Secretary of the Health Department, the State Mission Director of NHM, the Drugs Controller, the Director of the Health Department, the Director of the Medical Education Department, Additional Directors, District Medical Officers, the Child Health Nodal Officer, and the IAP President.