Rajasthan Assembly Debate Heats Up Over Cough Syrup Deaths

Jaipur, February 3:
A heated debate erupted in the Rajasthan Assembly over recent child deaths linked to cough syrup. Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar responded to Congress allegations, stating that the fatalities were not caused by defective medicine but by overdoses administered by family members.

Addressing the issue, Khimsar said only “two, four or five” deaths had occurred and clarified that the syrup, often containing codeine, can be lethal if misused. He added that medicines prescribed by government doctors are safe, and the government cannot be held responsible if parents administer drugs without professional guidance.

Opposition leader Teekaram Juli criticized the minister, demanding an investigation and highlighting that the company in question has been blacklisted in several regions. Juli also suggested that the medicine’s quality could have deteriorated over time.

Khimsar countered that these cough syrups have been in circulation since 2014 and stressed that deaths resulted from improper use, not government negligence.