New Delhi:- Telangana Administration (DCA) on Saturday issued an urgent advisory regarding ‘Almont-Kid’ syrup given to children. After lab reports found a highly toxic industrial solvent in a particular batch of this drug, the administration has ordered to stop its use and sale with immediate effect.

This action of Telangana Drug Administration has been taken on the basis of a lab report of Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), Kolkata. Investigation has confirmed that the amount of ethylene glycol (EG) in the syrup of batch number AL-24002 manufactured by Bihar-based company Tridus Remedies is much more than the standard limit. This medicine is usually prescribed by doctors to treat allergies, hay fever and asthma in children, but this particular batch has been declared adulterated and deadly.

Direct attack on kidneys and nervous system
According to experts, ethylene glycol found in the syrup is an industrial solvent, which is used as anti-freeze and coolant. If this chemical enters the body of children, it can cause complete kidney failure and serious damage to the nervous system. The administration has considered it a major threat to public health.

Instructions to confiscate stock and alert parents
Taking a strict stance, Telangana DCA Director General Shahnawaz Kasim has directed all drug inspectors of the state to immediately seize the stock of this affected batch from medical stores, distributors and hospitals. Parents have been appealed that if they have the medicine of batch number AL-24002, then they should not use it at all and immediately inform the concerned authorities. A toll-free number has also been issued for the convenience of the public.

Questions raised on drug regulatory system
The presence of such toxic elements in children’s medicines has once again raised serious questions on the safety of the country’s drug regulatory system. The administration has clarified that strict legal action has been initiated against the company responsible for manufacturing and distributing adulterated medicines and any compromise with public health will not be tolerated.

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