Kochi/Nagpur: As much as 95 per cent of alcohol content was reportedly found in syrups prescribed for children in Kerala forcing the Kerala authorities to order a recall of the medicine. Paracetamol syrup given for free through Medical Service Cooperation has been found unworthy.
Following Manjeri Medical College Superintendent’s complaint, Kerala Medical Services Corporation (KMSCL) has asked to stop the distribution of the syrup.
However, as many as 3.5 lakh bottles of the syrup have already been distributed to various hospitals in the state and from where a lot of patients have got the medicine. Therefore, the order to recall the medicines looks impractical.
The 95 per cent alcohol content was deducted in 125 mg of syrup supplied from a Nagpur-based company to the KMSCL last week. The syrup is prescribed for children below five years of age suffering from fever.
To dilute paracetamol, normally a chemical parahydroxybenzoate is used. However in this case, alcohol has been used to dilute paracetamol. This move comes despite a law that prohibits the usage of alcohol in children’s medicine.
