As Madhya Pradesh Grapples With Cough Syrup Deaths, Another Lapse Emerges

A tragedy continues to unfold in Madhya Pradesh, India, as the death toll from contaminated cough syrup has risen to at least 24, with some sources reporting 25 fatalities. The victims, primarily children under the age of five, suffered suspected renal failure after consuming the syrup, identified as Coldrif. While authorities scramble to contain the crisis, a series of lapses have emerged, raising serious questions about drug regulation and oversight in the country.

The cough syrup, manufactured by Sresan Pharmaceuticals in Tamil Nadu, was found to be adulterated with dangerously high levels of diethylene glycol (DEG), a toxic industrial solvent. Samples contained over 45% DEG, far exceeding the permissible limit of 0.1%. DEG is known to cause kidney failure, even in small amounts.

The incident has triggered a nationwide alert, with several states, including Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, and Kerala, banning Coldrif. India has also declared three cough syrups toxic and has advised to avoid Respifresh TR and ReLife. Raids are being conducted across Madhya Pradesh to seize the banned medicine. The Madhya Pradesh government has announced compensation of ₹400,000 to the families of the deceased children and assured that the state government will bear the entire treatment cost of the affected children.

Govindan Ranganathan, the owner of Sresan Pharmaceuticals, has been arrested and faces charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, drug adulteration, and violations of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. Following his arrest, the company has been permanently shut down.

However, the tragedy has also exposed significant regulatory gaps. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has criticized Tamil Nadu officials for allegedly not cooperating with the investigation and questioned the licensing process of pharmaceutical companies in Tamil Nadu. He has demanded a regulatory investigation of the firm.

Adding to the concern, the World Health Organization (WHO) has sought clarification from Indian officials regarding whether the contaminated cough syrup was exported to other countries. The WHO has also warned of risks through unregulated channels. This incident echoes similar tragedies in recent years, including the deaths of children in Gambia and Uzbekistan in 2022 linked to Indian-made cough syrups. These incidents have tarnished India's reputation as a major pharmaceutical producer.

The Supreme Court of India has dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking a CBI investigation into the deaths, stating that a special investigation team (SIT) has already been formed by the Madhya Pradesh Police to probe the case. The court also noted that the state government had already suspended a doctor accused of prescribing the adulterated syrup.

The incident has sparked outrage and demands for accountability. Opposition leaders have called for a judicial inquiry to uncover the full truth. Questions remain about how such a dangerous product made it to market and whether existing drug testing protocols are adequate.

As investigations continue, the focus is on preventing future tragedies and restoring confidence in India's pharmaceutical industry. This includes strengthening regulatory oversight, ensuring rigorous testing of pharmaceutical products, and holding those responsible for negligence accountable.