Raipur– In a swift crackdown on counterfeit pharmaceuticals, Chhattisgarh’s Drugs Control Department raided a medical store in Rajim, Gariaband district, seizing stocks of Besto-Cof cough syrup proven to be substandard and fake through lab analysis, echoing the deadly Rajasthan syrup scandal that killed several children. The operation, launched two months ago on a tip-off about illicit sales, has led to the store’s sealing, license cancellation for owner Sitaram Sahu, and a criminal case against supplier KPS firm in Raipur, whose billing documents were exposed as fraudulent.
The lab report, received recently, revealed that the seized Besto-Cof samples lacked essential drug components as per regulatory standards, rendering it not just ineffective but potentially poisonous—containing similar contaminants blamed for the tragic fatalities in Rajasthan. “Immediate and concrete action has been taken in the case of fake cough syrup sales in Rajim. This syrup, with content matching the one causing child deaths, was found in a local medical store,” stated the Gariaband District Administration in an official release. The department has issued directives to the implicated manufacturer to halt all supplies and is tracing the statewide distribution network to prevent further circulation.
Collector BS Uike issued a stark public warning: “Be cautious of cheap or unknown medicines; they can prove life-threatening.” This bust comes amid heightened national scrutiny on cough syrup quality, following global alerts like the 2023 Uzbekistan incident and India’s own bans on over-the-counter sales to children under two. Officials estimate thousands of such fake bottles may have flooded rural markets, preying on unsuspecting families during seasonal illnesses.
The Drugs Control Department urged consumers to verify products via the CDSCO portal and report suspicious sales to helpline 1800-180-4001. With investigations ongoing under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, penalties could include up to 10 years’ imprisonment for those endangering public health. Health experts reiterate: In the war on fake drugs, vigilance starts at the pharmacy shelf.
