The news of death of 25 children in India due to drinking cough syrup has shaken everyone. People are shocked by the loss of lives of innocent children and questions are being raised that how safe are these cough syrups? Now the World Health Organization (WHO) has also come into action in this matter. WHO has asked the Indian government whether the cough syrup which caused the death of children has been sent to other countries also? Let us tell you that in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, many children have died after drinking cough syrup named Coldrif.

This thing was found in syrup

Investigation revealed that the quantity of two chemicals named Diethylene Glycol (DG) and Ethylene Glycol (EG) in this syrup was more than required. Both these chemicals proved to be extremely dangerous for children. In Madhya Pradesh, 22 children lost their lives due to this syrup, while the condition of 5 children is critical. At the same time, there is news of death of three children due to this syrup in different districts of Rajasthan. These incidents have attracted the attention of not only the local administration but also international organizations.

WHO asked this question

WHO has also come into action in this matter. WHO officials have asked the Indian government whether these dangerous syrups have been exported to foreign countries also? If this happens, WHO will consider issuing a Global Medical Products Alert. Let us tell you that such an alert is issued when such a defect is found in any medicine or product, which can become a threat to people’s health. If these syrups have been exported to other countries, then WHO can soon issue an advisory, so that such accidents can be prevented in other countries also.

This incident raised many questions

In India, this case has raised questions on the pharmaceutical industry and regulatory bodies. The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has given strict instructions to all the states and union territories. DCGI issued a letter saying that before launching any medicine in the market, it should be thoroughly tested. Deficiency has been found at some places, regarding which DCGI has expressed displeasure. He has ordered all the pharmaceutical companies to strictly test every batch and only then send it to the market for sale.

Situation is worst in Chhindwara

In this case, maximum deaths have occurred in Chhindwara district of Madhya Pradesh. The local administration here has also taken strict steps. The owner of the pharmaceutical company manufacturing this syrup has been arrested. Investigation has also revealed that chemicals like DG and EG present in the syrup proved to be poisonous for children. These chemicals are not common ingredients used in cough syrup and their excessive quantity can be fatal.

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Disclaimer: This information is based on research studies and expert opinion. Do not consider this as a substitute for medical advice. Before adopting any new activity or exercise, please consult your doctor or relevant specialist.

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MP SIT has taken major action in the case of children dying due to kidney infection due to drinking cough syrup in Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh. The accused in the death case, Ranganathan Govindan, owner of Srisan Pharmaceutical, has been taken into custody. Chhindwara SP Ajay Pandey said that this action was taken in Chennai on the night of 8 October. After the arrest, MP SIT will bring the accused to Madhya Pradesh on transit remand. A total of 20 children have died so far in Chhindwara due to drinking spoiled cough syrup. Let us tell you that a reward of twenty thousand rupees was announced for the arrest of company owner Ranganathan Govindan.

Deaths related to cough syrup first came to light in Chhindwara and Betul districts of Madhya Pradesh, where several children died in the last two weeks. After this, incidents related to the same syrup were also recorded in some areas of Rajasthan. According to Chhindwara administration, after drinking Coldrif syrup, children showed symptoms like vomiting, difficulty in urination and high fever. During investigation, doctors found that the children’s kidneys had stopped functioning. All the deceased children were aged between two and five years. Many were admitted to hospitals in Nagpur and Bhopal, where tests found exposure to diethylene glycol in their bodies.

Screw the company and the owner

Srisan Pharma is located in Tamil Nadu. It has already been involved in quality violation cases. According to sources, the company had sent several batches of Coldrif syrup to Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Maharashtra without thoroughly testing it. SIT investigation revealed that the company used diethylene glycol instead of glycerol. This chemical is very harmful for the human body. Due to the same chemical, children also died in Gambia in 2022 and Uzbekistan in 2023, which were incidents related to Indian medicines.

Officials were also blamed for investigation and action
Madhya Pradesh and Central Government together have formed a joint investigation committee. In the action taken so far, the owner of the company Ranganathan Govindan has been arrested. Two medicine controllers and one deputy director have been suspended. Apart from this, the State Medicine Controller has been transferred. Chhindwara’s doctor Praveen Soni was also arrested on charges of negligence and prescribing wrong medicines. A senior officer said that this is not just negligence but a criminal matter. If it is proved that the company deliberately used poisonous chemicals, then the accused will be charged with culpable homicide (IPC 304).

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