14 Children Dead After Toxic Cough Syrup in India
A tragic incident in Madhya Pradesh, India, has claimed the lives of at least 14 children. The children died after consuming toxic cough syrup, sparking outrage and calls for stricter drug regulation.
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has criticized the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) and the Madhya Pradesh Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for failing to monitor toxic substances in the syrup. The IMA warned that some manufacturers might use industrial-grade toxins as cheaper substitutes for pharmaceutical-grade ingredients, posing severe risks to young children if quality control fails.
The cough syrup, Coldrif, manufactured by Sresan Pharmaceuticals, was found to contain diethylene glycol at nearly 500 times the safe limit. This toxic substance caused kidney failure in the affected children. A doctor, Dr. Praveen Soni, who prescribed the syrup, has been arrested. However, the IMA condemned the arrest and blamed the deaths on manufacturers and regulatory authorities.
The deaths of these children have reignited calls for stricter drug regulation and accountability in India's pharmaceutical sector. The manufacturer, Sresan Pharmaceuticals, must be held responsible for the toxic substance in its cough syrup. Stringent monitoring and enforcement are crucial to prevent such tragedies in the future.
