Tragedy in Rajasthan: Cough Syrup Kills 2 Kids; Doctor Faints After Consuming Sample

A government-supplied cough syrup has been linked to the deaths of two children and the hospitalisation of at least 10 others in Rajasthan over.

The past two weeks, prompting an immediate state-wide ban on several batches of the medicine. Officials said the syrup, manufactured by Kayson Pharma for the Rajasthan government, contains dextromethorphan hydrobromide. Its dangers came to light after two-year-old Samrat Jatav from Bharatpur and five-year-old Nitish from Sikar died shortly after being administered the drug. Several other children who consumed the syrup also fell ill, experiencing drowsiness, vomiting and difficulty breathing.

Nitish, from Sikar district, was given the syrup late on Sunday after visiting a community health centre for a cough. He was found unresponsive the next morning and declared dead at the district hospital. His family said he had been healthy and active earlier that evening.

Samrat Jatav, from Bharatpur, died on September 22 after he, his sister and cousin were given the same syrup. While the other two children eventually recovered after vomiting, Samrat never regained consciousness. His family said they only realised the cause of his death after hearing about the Sikar case.

In another disturbing incident, Bayana-based doctor Tarachand Yogi, who had prescribed the syrup to a patient, took a dose himself to prove it was safe. He collapsed unconscious in his car for eight hours before being found by family members. An ambulance driver who also consumed the syrup reported similar symptoms but later recovered.

Over the past week, eight children aged between one and five also fell ill in Banswara district after taking the syrup, though all have since recovered with treatment.

In response, the Rajasthan government has banned 22 batches of the syrup, suspended further distribution and launched testing of samples. More than 1.3 lakh bottles had been supplied across the state since July, and over 8,000 bottles remain in stock at Jaipur’s SMS Hospital, which has been instructed to withhold them.

“The drug suspected to have caused breathing problems and drowsiness has been banned. In most cases, the children recovered after treatment,” said Dr Pradyuman Jain, a paediatrician at Mahatma Gandhi Government Hospital in Banswara.

Jai Singh, executive director of quality control at the Rajasthan Medical Services Corporation Limited, confirmed that doctors have been told to stop prescribing the syrup and all supplies from the manufacturer have been halted pending investigation.