Fake Oxytocin Batch Under Probe After Kota Hospital Deaths

Rajasthan has banned a suspected fake oxytocin injection batch supplied to government hospitals after quality tests reportedly failed. The action comes amid an enquiry into the deaths of at least five pregnant or postpartum women at Kota’s New Medical College Hospital after C-section and uterine surgeries.

Fake Oxytocin Batch Seized

Oxytocin is commonly used during and after childbirth to control excessive bleeding. Officials said the tested batch did not have the required blood-clotting component. The injection batch, manufactured by Jackson Laboratories in Amritsar, was also used at the Kota hospital. Following the test result, authorities seized the full stock from the hospital and stopped its sale and use across Rajasthan.

Kota Deaths Under Investigation

According to preliminary findings, several patients developed serious complications within 8 to 12 hours after surgery. Symptoms included a sudden fall in blood pressure, low platelet count, and signs of kidney failure. Investigators are also checking allegedly failed IV fluid batches used in the hospitals.

The Rajasthan government has ordered a high-level enquiry, while a specialised team from SMS Medical College, Jaipur, was sent to Kota to support treatment and examine the possible causes. Hospital authorities said the final reason behind the deaths has not yet been confirmed.

Wider Medicine Crackdown

The case has widened into a bigger crackdown on suspected fake and substandard medicines in Rajasthan. Officials said 11 medicine samples failed quality checks in the past 10 days, including drugs used for fever, allergies, stomach infections, emergency pain relief, and antibiotics.