Workers of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) staged a protest in Jaipur on Friday outside the Kaysons Pharma factory after two children died after drinking the company’s cough syrup. The company’s drug has sparked a parent‑panic that has spread beyond Rajasthan. Hospitals in the state are treating several other children who are in serious condition after ingesting the same syrup.
“We must shut the factory down now,” said party worker Amit Dadhich, who criticized the government for letting “fake medicines” be sold. Dadhich held up a sign that read, “Government is selling fake medicine. That is injustice to the country.” The protester said the government’s neglect turned the cough syrup into a lethal danger for kids. He warned that the demonstrations would continue until the company was held accountable.
Party member Ashutosh Ranka joined in the protest, pointing out that Kaysons Pharma was banned two years ago. “How can a company that was shut down still be selling its products?” Ranka asked. He told reporters that the government had to investigate the company’s safety claims and evacuate all its drugs.
The controversy is not limited to Rajasthan. In Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara district, 11 children died after using the same “Coldrif” cough syrup from Kaysons Pharma. The rising death toll has forced the Rajasthan government to take swift action.
The state’s drug controller was suspended and the state ministry stopped distributing all 19 medicines supplied by Kaysons Pharma. Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma announced a detailed investigation into the harm caused by the cough syrup supplied under the Free Medicine Scheme. The Rajasthan Medical Services Corporation reports that of 10,119 Kaysons samples tested since 2012, 42 were substandard.
The Union Health Ministry reacted by issuing a nationwide advisory on cough syrup use in children. The advisory, sent to all state and union territory health directors, stresses that cough syrups are generally not recommended for children under five. For older children, doctors should monitor use carefully and supervise the dosage.
A multidisciplinary team from the Ministry is still analyzing samples from the Chhindwara incident to determine exactly what caused the deaths. In the meantime, Rajasthan has added warning labels to potentially dangerous drugs to protect children and their families.
The protests and the government’s response highlight growing concerns about drug safety and regulatory enforcement in India. Parents are demanding stronger action, and officials are working to bring the issue to a safe, safe place for all children.
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