WHO seeks data on Rajasthan C-section deaths; Centre orders probe into spurious oxytocin link
The Union Health Ministry has requested a detailed report from the Rajasthan government on complications arising after caesarean sections in several state hospitals, including fatalities. The move follows a query from the World Health Organization (WHO) seeking information on a possible link to spurious oxytocin.
Sources said the WHO asked the Indian government whether the issue was localised or more widespread, to assess potential risks in other locations. The Central government acted after Rajasthan authorities and the national drug regulator cancelled licences of a Kota-based wholesale distributor of oxytocin and two factories in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh that manufactured the drug. Inspections reportedly revealed widespread irregularities, including missing evidence of key purity tests and data tampering.
Oxytocin is used to induce labour and prevent postpartum bleeding. Many of the affected women suffered excessive blood loss. In the latest incident, on June 20, eight women who underwent C-sections at the District Government Hospital in Paota, Jodhpur, fell ill after surgery. Two with complications were moved to AIIMS, Jodhpur, and all are now stable.
Earlier, complications were reported at PBM Hospital in Bikaner, where six women developed kidney failure after C-sections, and two died. These cases followed a more severe episode in Kota, where five women died in May after caesarean deliveries at the New Medical Government Hospital. More than 40 days later, five other women remain admitted and on dialysis. Rajasthan authorities have denied a link between the deaths and oxytocin.
On the WHO inquiry, an official stated: “It is a routine part of global pharmacovigilance and regulatory surveillance. The organisation regularly seeks information to determine if incidents are confined to a location or could have implications for other countries. It should not be construed as a finding against the product or manufacturer.”
In early June, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) jointly inspected the manufacturing units of Jackson Laboratories in Punjab and Himachal with state regulators, leading to licence cancellations. Sources said Jackson Laboratories, which had faced previous action, violated a 2023 order to stop production of several products due to unhygienic conditions. It also continued producing medicines after the order. Evidence of “record tampering” was found in oxytocin batches supplied to Rajasthan, including discrepancies in sample receipt dates on test reports and lab intake logs. There was no record of testing for drug purity, and data files on testing equipment were allegedly modified or deleted.
