Investigation into Negligence in Cough Syrup Manufacturing in Uttar Pradesh
Central Team Deployment
A Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) central team arrived in Uttar Pradesh on monday to inspect cough syrup manufacturing and medicine quality.
The team includes Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner-level officers.
Inspections began in Hapur, where five samples were collected from a syrup manufacturing firm.
The team will conduct random inspections and collect samples from manufacturing units and medical stores across various districts.
Negligence and Violations Discovered
Many cough syrup manufacturers in the state are operating under makeshift conditions and ignoring regulatory standards.
Several firms have incomplete documentation and lack essential hygiene and manufacturing equipment.
Out of 37 cough syrup companies in Uttar Pradesh, 17 actively produce syrup; all have been inspected.
Around 780 samples (both syrup and raw materials) have been sent to labs for testing.
Based on preliminary findings, syrup production has been halted at companies in Lucknow, Saharanpur, Mathura, and Aligarh.
Notices issued to other firms pending test results; strict action will follow if violations persist.
Codeine Syrup Trade and Illegal Distribution
A large-scale illegal codeine cough syrup trade is operating across the state, with major seizures in Lucknow.
Accused admitted their trade targets drug users rather than patients.
Investigations revealed shipments of codeine syrup moving to districts in Purvanchal and Awadh regions and even to nepal and Bangladesh.
Over 2,600 vials recovered from Rae bareli and Sitapur; codeine syrup also found in bahraich and Sultanpur.
Reports have been filed against medical stores involved in this illegal trade.
Ongoing Actions
The FSDA team continues its inspections and sample collections to ensure safety compliance.
Authorities aim to dismantle the illegal codeine syrup racket and improve manufacturing standards statewide.
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