In the wake of deaths of young children allegedly due to adulterated cough syrup in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, the Gurgaon district health department has asked chemists and hospitals to ensure that these medications are not sold for or prescribed to children.

Speaking with The Indian Express on Monday, Gurgaon Civil Surgeon and Chief Medical Officer Dr Alka Singh confirmed issuance of instructions to this effect.

“Though we have not received any official order yet from the State Directorate of Health Services, they have orally communicated to us to exercise full caution in this regard… On Sunday, we asked hospitals under us not to prescribe or sell cough syrup till we get more clarity about their origins and compliance with health safety and manufacturing norms,” Dr Singh said.

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