Kerala bars all medicines for children under 12 without prescription

In a decisive move to safeguard children, the Kerala Health Department has ordered that no medicines, including cough syrups, should be given to children under 12 without a doctor’s prescription. This action comes in the wake of reports of 14 infant deaths in Madhya Pradesh linked to the consumption of toxic Coldrif syrup, underscoring the risks of unregulated pediatric medicines.

The state has also constituted a three-member expert panel to urgently review the use of cough medicines in children. The panel, including the state drugs controller, the child health nodal officer, and the state president of the Indian Academy of Paediatrics (IAP), will recommend guidelines to ensure safe prescription practices. Health Minister Veena George stressed that medicines prescribed for one child must never be reused for another, as dosing is tailored to body weight, and improper use could cause more harm than benefit.

Kerala has taken preventive measures despite no cases being reported locally. The Drugs Control Department is conducting inspections statewide, and awareness campaigns for parents and caregivers will be strengthened. Pediatricians and other doctors will receive special training in collaboration with the IAP to ensure safe prescription practices. Additionally, the sale of the SR-13 batch of Coldrif syrup, linked to toxic reactions in other states, has been suspended in Kerala, even though it was not distributed locally.

The recent deaths of 14 children in Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh, from suspected renal failure after consuming toxic cough syrup served as a grim warning. Kerala’s swift preventive action reflects a proactive approach to child safety, ensuring such tragedies are prevented before they occur locally.

This move is widely being seen as a very good, proactive measure. By acting early, Kerala not only protects its children but also sets an example for other states to strengthen oversight, enforce prescription-only policies, and prioritize public awareness to prevent avoidable child health crises.