Banned Corex sold in communication centres

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

Around 10 cases have been reported from Colombo where the Corex brand cough syrup had been sold during last week.

“The use and sale of all cough syrups coming under the label Corex was banned by the Health Ministry recently due to serious medical problems stemming from its long term use,” a Health Ministry spokesman said.

He said said the syrup were used as an intoxicant. Nine people have died due to the use of this syrup.

The spokesman said the ministry and the Police received a number of complaints about Corex cough syrup being sold despite the ban.

Those involved had purchased the stocks from pharmacies and sold them at communications centres , tea kiosks and pastry shops in the Colombo city secretly, he said.

“They sell the Corex syrup laced with illicit liquor. They mix two teaspoons to a glass of illicit liquor and a glass containing it was sold for Rs150,” the spokesman said.

Meanwhile, the Police arrested two persons conducting an illegal rehabilitation centre for drug addicts. The two had brought addicted youths to Colombo and trained them to drink Corex syrup, he said.

The Health Ministry raided six locations selling Corex laced with illicit liquor.

They ministry plans to conduct raids throughout the Colombo district with the assistance of the Police and the Drug Regulatory Authority.