Syrups containing DXM temporarily banned

23 February 2013 09:33 am

All cough syrups containing Dextromethorphan (DXM) have been temporarily banned from sale in Sri Lanka as a precautionary step following an alert by the WHO, the Cosmetics, Devices and Drugs Regulatory Authority (CDDRA) said.

CDDRA Chairman Dr. H. Beneragama speaking to Daily Mirror said, “We received an alert from the WHO yesterday regarding a cough syrup containing DXM that had resulted in close to 70 deaths in Pakistan upon consumption. Investigations on the batch of cough syrups consumed in Pakistan have revealed they contained a lethal element quite similar to DXM that was supplied by an Indian pharmaceutical company.”

He added that although no cases of concern have been reported from Sri Lanka so far, immediate steps were taken to withhold all cough syrups containing DXM from the local markets as a precautionary measure.  

According to Dr. Beneragma, syrups containing DXM are highly effective cough suppressants. However, he added the temporary ban will not cause an inconvenience as similar products are available in the market, which are as effective.  

Dr. Beneragama said close to 30 products have been currently temporarily withheld from sale in local markets due to the ban.

“We have informed all pharmaceutical suppliers in the country to submit certifications to the CDDRA concerning raw materials used in their products.  If any of them import products that contain elements produced by the Indian company in question, we will be taking measures to permanently ban those products,” he added.

Meanwhile, Dr. Beneragama also said they have requested drug suppliers to provide them with samples of their products to be tested against DXM in order to determine whether the element is genuine or the contaminated compound. (Lakna Paranamanna)