MP Cough Syrup Tragedy: Doctor Arrested, 11 Kids Die from Toxic Coldrif; TN Manufacturers Booked
In a heartbreaking incident that has shaken Madhya Pradesh, 11 children lost their lives after consuming a toxic cough syrup named Coldrif. The syrup, allegedly manufactured by a Tamil Nadu-based pharmaceutical company, has been linked to severe health complications, including kidney failure. Authorities have arrested a local doctor, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, for prescribing the syrup, while the manufacturers face serious legal charges.
How the Incident Unfolded
The tragedy came to light when several children in the Agar Malwa district of Madhya Pradesh were hospitalized with symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and severe abdominal pain. Over the course of a week, 11 children succumbed to their conditions despite medical intervention. Investigations revealed that all the children had consumed Coldrif, a cough syrup prescribed by Dr. Gupta, who operates a private clinic in the area.
Toxic Chemical Found in Syrup
The Madhya Pradesh Drug Control Administration seized samples of Coldrif for testing, which confirmed the presence of diethylene glycol, a toxic chemical used in industrial solvents and antifreeze. Diethylene glycol is known to cause kidney failure and can be fatal even in small doses. The discovery has raised serious concerns about the quality control measures at the manufacturing unit.
Legal Action Against Doctor and Manufacturers
The Tamil Nadu-based pharmaceutical company has been booked under Sections 274 (adulteration of drugs), 275 (sale of adulterated drugs), and 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Authorities are also investigating whether the company adhered to standards set by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO).
Meanwhile, Dr. Sanjay Gupta has been arrested on charges of negligence and culpable homicide. Parents of the deceased children accuse him of prescribing the syrup without proper diagnosis or caution. Dr. Gupta denies wrongdoing, claiming he prescribed the syrup in good faith and was unaware of its toxic contents.
Calls for Stricter Drug Safety Regulations
This incident has reignited concerns about the safety of pharmaceutical products in India, particularly those manufactured by smaller companies. Similar tragedies have occurred in the past, including the deaths of children in Jammu (2020) and Gambia (2022) due to contaminated cough syrups.
Public health experts are urging stricter regulations and more rigorous testing of pharmaceutical products. Dr. Arun Shah, a pediatrician and public health advocate, emphasized, “This is a wake-up call for the government and the pharmaceutical industry. The lives of innocent children are at stake, and we cannot afford to compromise on quality and safety.”
Compensation and Statewide Investigation
The Madhya Pradesh government has announced a compensation of ₹10 lakh for each deceased child’s family. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has ordered a statewide investigation into the sale and distribution of substandard medicines, vowing to punish those responsible.
A Grieving Community Demands Answers
Families of the victims are struggling to come to terms with their loss. “My child was perfectly healthy. He only had a mild cough. How could a medicine meant to heal take his life?” asked a grieving father.
The Coldrif tragedy underscores the urgent need for accountability and reform in India’s pharmaceutical sector. Without stringent measures to ensure drug safety, such incidents will continue to devastate families and communities.
Stay tuned to NextMinuteNews for further updates on this developing story.
