Enforce quality norms strictly: Govt to states, UT's

Union health secretary on Sunday directed states to enhance surveillance of all pharmaceutical manufacturing units functioning within their jurisdiction to ensure compliance with good manufacturing practices and taking strict action against the defaulters.

- Rhythma Kaul [e-mail]

The health secretary, Punya Salila Srivastava, chaired a high-level meeting with states and Union territories on quality and rational use of cough syrups following 12 deaths reported recently of children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan allegedly linked to consuming contaminated cough syrups. "In view of recent concerns relating to the quality and administration of cough syrups, the Union ministry of health and family welfare convened a high-level meeting under the chairmanship of the Union health secretary, Punya Salila Srivastava, with all states and Union Territories to review compliance with drug quality norms and promote the rational use of cough syrups, especially in paediatric population," said the health ministry statement on the meeting.