The health department has banned the sale and distribution of all medicines manufactured by Sresan Pharmaceuticals, a Kanchipuram-based company linked to the deadly cough syrup case.
The move follows licence cancellation proceedings initiated by the Tamil Nadu Drugs Controller against the company, Health Minister Veena George said on Tuesday.
The state has also halted the sale of Respifresh TR (60ml syrup, Batch No. R01GL2523), manufactured by Rednex Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd., Ahmedabad, after the Gujarat Drugs Controller reported that the product failed to meet quality standards.
Following the alert, the Kerala State Drugs Control Department suspended the distribution of the syrup across the state. Five distributors in Kerala were handling the product, and all have been directed to immediately stop its supply.
Authorities warned that strict action will be taken against any pharmacy or vendor found selling the banned medicine.
Health Minister Veena George urged people in possession of Respifresh TR not to use the medicine under any circumstances. Officials confirmed that the syrup is not distributed through government hospitals.
The minister also directed officials to take strict action against pharmacies that dispense medicines for children below 12 years without a valid prescription.