Expired cough syrup given as relief to flood-hit UP families, children fall ill

Flood-hit families in Kanpur said children fell ill after taking relief cough syrup that had expired in July 2026. The allegation has triggered an enquiry and sharpened fears over the safety of medicines being distributed in the flood zone.

In Short

• Children fell ill after consuming expired cough syrup in Kanpur
• Health Department distributed medicines, including syrup, which expired in July 2026
• Residents refused further medicines fearing safety risks for their children

Flood-hit families in Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur district have claimed that children fell ill after consuming cough syrup distributed as part of relief aid. The syrup was found to have expired in July 2026.

The incident has raised questions over the negligence of the Health Department, with flood-affected residents questioning the safety of medicines being distributed to them at a time when the threat of disease is already looming over their families.

On Monday afternoon, a Health Department team arrived in the Mayapuram area to distribute medicines among around 20 flood-affected families.

Among the medicines provided was the expired cough syrup.

A four-year-old boy reportedly began vomiting after consuming the syrup. As his condition worsened, his family took him to a nearby private doctor, where his condition improved after treatment.

Similarly, two boys aged three also reportedly fell ill after taking the medicine and syrup.

The simultaneous deterioration in the children's health triggered panic in the area. Residents subsequently threw away the allegedly expired syrup and other medicines.

When the Health Department team returned to Mayapuram on Tuesday with medicines, flood victims reportedly refused to accept them, saying they could not risk their children's lives when questions had been raised over the quality of the medicines being distributed as relief.

The mother of one of the boys claimed that the health team admitted the syrup had been mistakenly administered and offered Rs 100 towards the child’s treatment.

The family refused the money and questioned who would be held responsible if the child’s condition deteriorated or he lost his life after consuming the expired syrup.

With the Pandu River continuing to rise, flood-affected families are already dealing with the destruction of their homes and the threat of illness.

Residents said they had expected the administration to provide safe medicines as part of relief efforts, but the alleged distribution of expired medication has instead deepened their fears and eroded their trust.

Responding to the allegation, Chief Medical Officer Dr Haridutt Nemi said, "The matter has come to our notice. We are investigating it. We will be able to comment further after the investigation.”

- Ends