Expired paracetamol syrup allegedly dispensed to children at Palakkad health centre

At least seven parents have filed complaints with authorities in Palakkad, Kerala, alleging that their children were administered expired paracetamol syrup at a local health centre. The incident has raised concerns about quality control and standard operating procedures at the facility.

While the complaints have been formally registered, health officials acknowledge that determining the precise number of children who received the expired medication has proven difficult. Investigators are reviewing dispensing records and attempting to contact all families who visited the centre during the relevant period.

The Kerala health department has initiated an inquiry into the matter and is examining how the expired medicine entered the facility's inventory. Officials are also reviewing protocols for checking medication expiry dates before dispensing to patients.

Parents and child health advocates have called for stricter oversight of pharmaceutical storage and distribution practices across government health centres. The incident underscores ongoing concerns about the quality of care and pharmaceutical management in public healthcare facilities across the state.