NEW DELHI: The deaths of nine children after consuming a cough syrup have exposed a nexus between some state government employees and pharmaceutical companies, even as further investigations are under way.
While Madhya Pradesh and Central health agencies initially gave a clean chit to the cough syrup in connection with the children’s deaths , a report from the Tamil Nadu Drugs Authority late on Friday has put the syrup under scrutiny. The Union Health Ministry reported that six samples collected by CDSCO and tested were found to be free of diethylene glycol (DEG) and ethylene glycol (EG). The Madhya Pradesh Food & Drugs Authority also informed that out of 13 samples collected by their team, three were analysed and found free of DEG/EG.
At the request of the Madhya Pradesh government, the Tamil Nadu FDA took samples of Coldrif Cough Syrup from the manufacturing premises of M/s Sresan Pharma in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu. The test results, shared late evening on October 3, showed the samples contained DEG beyond the permissible limit. Deputy Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Rajendra Shukla said, “The deaths of innocent children in Chhindwara district due to consumption of Coldrif Syrup are extremely tragic and painful … Investigations have revealed that this syrup contains a toxic chemical called diethylene glycol (48.6% w/v). Based on this report, the sale and distribution of this syrup have been banned throughout Madhya Pradesh with immediate effect”.
According to Union Health Ministry officials, risk-based inspections were initiated on October 3 at the manufacturing premises of all 19 drugs sampled, spread across six states: Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra. Additionally, a multidisciplinary team is still analysing various samples and factors to assess the cause of deaths in and around Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh.
In Rajasthan, two children also died after consuming cough medicine. Investigations revealed the medicine did not contain propylene glycol and was dextromethorphan-based, which is not recommended for children.
The Union Health Ministry has issued an advisory regarding the use of cough syrup. IMA Finance Secretary and child expert
Dr. Piyush Jain told “The Sunday Guardian” that the incident was shocking and warranted further investigation. He advised that there is no need to give cough syrup to children under four years old. The IMA has also issued an advisory to its members regularly.
