Jaipur:The cough syrup controversy in Rajasthan has now led to suspensions and sweeping new guidelines, as the health department cracked down on lapses following the deaths of children allegedly linked to dextromethorphan hydrobromide syrup. The state government suspended a pharmacist and a doctor of Hathideh PHC in Ajitgarh block, Sikar, for allegedly prescribing the syrup to a child, despite the drug not being recommended for children under four. According to a recent media report in the Times of India, Director of Public Health Dr Ravi Prakash Sharma confirmed the disciplinary action and announced fresh directives for medical staff. The guidelines stress that no medicine can be dispensed without a valid prescription, and doctors must refrain from prescribing dextromethorphan syrups to children. Patients too have been warned against self-medication, with officials highlighting that unregulated use of the syrup can be dangerous. The controversy escalated after multiple cases were reported across Rajasthan. While fatalities in Sikar and Bharatpur drew attention, the health department clarified that not all cases resulted in death. In one instance, three-year-old Gagan, son of Monu Joshi from Bharatpur, developed cough and fever and was given the syrup by his father without prescription. He later fell ill but recovered after hospital treatment and was discharged, underscoring the risks of unsupervised use, reportsTimes of India