In a swift response to child deaths in Madhya Pradesh allegedly caused by a toxic cough syrup, states including West Bengal and Delhi have moved to ban the sale of Coldrif syrup, while the Congress has demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe and the resignation of the state health minister.

BENGAL CHEMISTS HALT COLDRIF SALES

The Bengal Chemists and Druggists Association (BCDA) on Saturday directed all retail and wholesale medicine sellers in West Bengal to immediately stop the sale and purchase of Coldrif cough syrup.

Prithwi Basu, BCDA Secretary, said the precautionary measure was taken even though the batch linked to the Madhya Pradesh incident has not entered West Bengal. “We have informed all sellers to stop its sale as a precautionary measure,” Basu told reporters.

The BCDA will meet medicine retailers on October 11 to ensure compliance with the advisory. Additionally, the West Bengal State Drug Control Board has instructed that ingredients used in cough syrups, such as propylene glycol, glycerin, and sorbitol, must be sourced only from approved vendors and tested in certified laboratories.

DELHI GOVERNMENT BANS COLDRIF

Following the Bengal move, the Delhi government also prohibited the sale, purchase, and distribution of Coldrif syrup after it was declared “not of standard quality.” The syrup, manufactured by Sresan Pharmaceutical in Tamil Nadu in May 2025, was found to be adulterated with Diethylene Glycol (46.28 per cent w/v), a toxic chemical known to be harmful to human health.

Authorities directed all stakeholders to immediately halt any transactions involving the syrup and advised the public not to consume the product.

CONGRESS DEMANDS PROBE, MINISTER’S RESIGNATION

Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Jitu Patwari condemned the state government’s handling of the crisis, alleging that negligence led to the deaths of more than 20 children, mostly in Chhindwara. He called for the resignation of the health minister, a CBI investigation, and registration of a case against the drug controller and Principal Secretary of the state health department.

“Over the past three months, more than 150 children’s deaths have been recorded in different districts of the state. They were not caused by any disease but were government-sponsored killings,” Patwari alleged.

At least 22 children have died due to suspected renal failure linked to Coldrif syrup, while several others are receiving treatment in Nagpur G Ranganathan, owner of Sresan Pharma, has been arrested.

Patwari accused the health minister of ignoring a Nagpur laboratory report dated September 19, which identified the deaths as caused by contaminated medicine. “Even after eight children had died, no post-mortems were conducted, nor were departmental meetings held,” he said.

The Congress party plans to observe a one-day fast and hold demonstrations outside children’s hospitals across districts to demand accountability.

MANUFACTURER INVESTIGATION REVEALS REGULATORY LAPSES

Investigations into Sresan Pharma by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) revealed multiple lapses by the Tamil Nadu Food and Drug Administration (TNFDA). Licensed in 2011, the company continued operations unchecked despite poor infrastructure and repeated violations of national drug safety rules.

The CDSCO’s inspection exposed total non-compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). The company had not registered its products on the central ‘Sugam’ portal, preventing effective monitoring. TNFDA reportedly did not share information about sampling or analysis of Coldrif syrup with the CDSCO, leading to delays and confusion.

During a joint risk-based inspection on October 3, TNFDA officials failed to participate, prompting the CDSCO to conduct the audit independently and recommend cancellation of the manufacturing license.

The agency also noted that Sresan Pharma is neither WHO GMP certified nor compliant with the Revised Schedule M requirements, as per the Gazette notification of December 28, 2023.

UNION HEALTH MINISTRY STEPS IN

On Friday, Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava convened a high-level meeting with states and union territories to review drug quality compliance and promote rational use of cough syrups in children. The meeting underlined the need for strict action against manufacturers violating safety norms.

– Ends

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