Excessive alcoholic cough syrup: Punjab imposes ban on five manufacturers

LAHORE: In response to a World Health Organisation (WHO) alert, the Punjab government has taken decisive measures against five cough syrup manufacturing companies accused of incorporating excessive alcohol into their products on Friday.

Acting on recommendations from the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) and the District Health Officer (DHO), the provincial government has issued directives to not only ban these companies but also seize their entire stock in the market.

Punjab's Caretaker Minister for Primary and Secondary Healthcare, Dr. Jamal Nasir, announced that the crackdown would extend to all medical stores in the province, ensuring that the controversial cough syrup is removed from circulation.

Dr. Nasir disclosed that these companies were not only distributing their products within the country but also exporting them abroad.

The move comes after a World Health Organisation investigation, prompted by a complaint from the Maldives, confirmed the presence of high alcohol content in the implicated cough syrups.

Dr. Jamal Nasir emphasized that strict actions would be taken against those responsible for tarnishing the country's reputation in this matter.