The Union Health Secretary, Punya Salila Srivastava, will chair a video conference on Sunday at 4 pm with Principal Secretaries, Health Secretaries, and Drug Controllers from all states and Union Territories to address the safe use of cough syrups and ensure the quality of over-the-counter medications following multiple child deaths, reported ANI, citing sources.
The meeting follows reports of at least 14 fatalities in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara district after children consumed Coldrif cough syrup, manufactured by Sresan Pharmaceuticals in Tamil Nadu. Cases have also emerged in Rajasthan and Maharashtra, following which states, including Kerala and Telangana, have issued public alerts and suspended the sale of the syrup.
Laboratory tests by the Tamil Nadu Food and Drugs Administration has revealed that Coldrif contained 48.6 percent diethylene glycol (DEG), an industrial chemical used in antifreeze and brake fluids, which can cause acute kidney failure and death when ingested.
The Madhya Pradesh government has banned Coldrif and all other products manufactured by Sresan Pharmaceuticals.
“Coldrif exceeded permissible limits of DEG/EG and was also sampled by the Madhya Pradesh Drug Regulatory Authority. Final results are awaited,” said officials.
Meanwhile, six other samples, including antibiotics, antipyretics, and ondansetron consumed by affected children, tested negative for DEG contamination.
The Union Health Ministry has also advised that cough and cold medications should not be prescribed or dispensed to children under two years of age. It has also sent circulars to Directors of Health Services across all states and UTs.
Meanwhile, another cough syrup, Nextro DS, distributed in Madhya Pradesh, is also under the scanner. Authorities have collected 19 samples, including syrups, antibiotics, and antipyretics, for analysis. Further action will be taken once laboratory results are out.
A doctor in Chhindwara, Dr. Praveen Soni, has been arrested in connection with prescribing Coldrif to several children. The Madhya Pradesh government has also registered a case against Sresan Pharmaceuticals.
In Rajasthan, 19 medicines from Kaysan Pharma, Jaipur, have been suspended following reports of adverse effects linked to Dextromethorphan HBr syrup in Bharatpur and Sikar. Two health officials and the State Drug Controller have also been suspended for negligence. As per authorities, the affected batches caused vomiting, dizziness, fainting, and drowsiness in children.
Following the deaths, Tamil Nadu banned Coldrif with immediate effect and ordered the removal of the product from the market. Inspections were conducted at the manufacturing facility in Sunguvarchathram, Kancheepuram, and samples were collected for testing.
Kerala has also suspended the sale of Coldrif, though the affected batch was not sold in the state. Authorities have instructed distributors and medical stores to halt all sales and distribution of the syrup as a precaution.
In Uttarakhand, raids on pharmacies and wholesalers are underway to collect samples for laboratory testing and remove any potentially harmful cough syrups from circulation. Chief Medical Officers have been directed to implement the central government advisories immediately.
The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has initiated risk-based inspections of manufacturing units across six states to prevent future quality failures and ensure compliance with drug safety regulations.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
