The Telangana Drugs Control Administration (DCA) has issued an urgent stop-use notice for Almont-Kid Syrup, a commonly prescribed children’s medicine, after laboratory tests detected the presence of ethylene glycol, a highly toxic industrial chemical.
The action follows an alert from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), which flagged batch number AL-24002 as unsafe. Parents and caregivers have been advised to immediately stop administering the syrup to children and report any remaining stock to authorities.
Drug inspectors across Telangana have been instructed to freeze and withdraw the affected batch from pharmacies, hospitals and distribution centres. Officials stress that the move is preventive and aimed at protecting children’s health, while public health experts warn that ethylene glycol ingestion can lead to severe poisoning, kidney failure and even death if not treated promptly.
Toxic Chemical Detected in Kids’ Medicine
The stop-use notice issued by the Telangana DCA has triggered widespread concern among parents and healthcare professionals, as Almont-Kid Syrup is frequently prescribed to children for allergic conditions and respiratory symptoms.
According to officials, laboratory testing revealed that the syrup contained ethylene glycol, a substance commonly used in antifreeze and industrial solvents and strictly prohibited in medicinal formulations. Even small quantities of the chemical can be extremely harmful when ingested, particularly by young children.
Acting swiftly on the CDSCO’s alert, the DCA directed all drug inspectors in the state to identify, freeze and remove the affected batch from the supply chain. Pharmacies, wholesalers, hospitals and clinics have been instructed not to sell or dispense the syrup under any circumstances.
In a public advisory, the regulator urged parents and caregivers to immediately discontinue use of the syrup if they have it at home and to inform the nearest Drugs Control Authority or use the toll-free helpline provided.
A senior DCA official stated that the decision was taken “in the interest of public safety” and emphasised that cooperation from the public is crucial. “Parents should not panic, but they must stop using the identified batch and report it. Early action can prevent any potential harm,” the official said, adding that enforcement teams are monitoring compliance closely.
A Pattern of Lapses and Growing Regulatory Scrutiny
The incident has once again drawn attention to persistent concerns around pharmaceutical quality control, particularly in medicines meant for children.
Over the past few years, India has witnessed multiple cases where toxic contaminants such as ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol were found in cough syrups, some of which were linked to child fatalities in different parts of the country and abroad. These episodes prompted global scrutiny of India’s drug manufacturing and export standards, leading to tighter inspections and regulatory reforms.
Health experts note that ethylene glycol poisoning can initially present with symptoms such as vomiting, drowsiness and rapid breathing, but can quickly progress to metabolic acidosis, kidney failure and neurological damage. Children are especially vulnerable due to their lower body weight and developing organs. The delayed onset of severe symptoms often makes early detection difficult, increasing the risk of serious outcomes.
The Telangana action follows a broader national effort to strengthen drug surveillance, with the CDSCO and state regulators increasing random sampling, laboratory testing and audits of manufacturing facilities. However, public health advocates argue that reactive measures are not enough. They stress the need for stricter monitoring of raw materials, greater accountability for manufacturers and transparent communication with the public whenever safety lapses occur.
Medical professionals have also advised parents to remain vigilant about the medicines they administer to children, urging them to check batch numbers, follow official advisories and consult doctors if they notice any unusual symptoms.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
At The Logical Indian, we believe that children’s health is non-negotiable, and the repeated discovery of toxic substances in paediatric medicines is deeply unsettling. While the swift response by Telangana’s Drugs Control Administration deserves recognition, such incidents also point to systemic weaknesses that cannot be ignored. Preventing harm must take precedence over damage control, and that requires robust regulation, ethical manufacturing practices and uncompromising transparency.
Healthcare is built on trust, trust that medicines heal rather than harm, and that authorities will act decisively to protect the most vulnerable. Ensuring this trust demands collective responsibility, from policymakers and regulators to pharmaceutical companies, healthcare providers and citizens. Compassion, accountability and dialogue must guide every step of this process if we are to create a safer and more humane healthcare system.
