Question : Deworming Tablets

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether a large number of school children who were administered deworming tablets complained of uneasiness and nausea in various parts of the country and if so, the details thereof and the sources of procuring these deworming tablets by the States;

(b) whether the Government has initiated any preliminary investigations regarding the supply of allegedly outdated/spurious deworming tablets and if so, the details and the outcome thereof; and

(c) the further action taken/ proposed to be taken by the Government to check such incidents in the future?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI FAGGAN SINGH KULASTE)
(a): As per available information from the States, a total of 26.04 crore children in 34 States/UTs were administered de-worming tablets during National Deworming Day this year and 158 children experienced mild nausea and vomiting. The statewise details are at annexure.
The deworming tablets are supplied by WHO for some states and some states procure from their budget from DCGI approved sources.
(b) & (c): Albendazole is a very safe drug, but 1-2 percent of the children may develop mild side effects in the form of nausea and vomiting. These side effects are particularly common in children having high load of worm infestation. The side effects are generally self limiting. Government of India has not received any report on use of allegedly outdated/spurious de-worming tablets. However, the States have a regular system of checking samples of drugs, including albendazole tablets after procurement, as a routine quality control measure.
………………….