Another Child Dies from Toxic Cough Syrup in Madhya Pradesh; Death Toll Rises to 25 as Centre Orders Nationwide Pharma Crackdown
Cough syrup Inspection: Centre Asks States For List, Supreme Court To Decide Today: In a deeply disturbing development, another child has died in Madhya Pradesh due to consumption of poisonous cough syrup, taking the death toll in the state to 25. The latest victim is the one-year-old son of Babu Pawar, a resident of Mordogri Parasia in Chhindwara district.
This is not an isolated tragedy. Four more children have died in Rajasthan under similar circumstances, raising serious questions about the quality and safety of pediatric medicines being sold in the country.
Centre Launches Emergency Measures
In response, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has gone into “action mode”, ordering nationwide inspections of all cough syrup manufacturers. The agency will conduct sample testing of syrups currently in circulation and has requested all states and Union Territories to submit a list of companies engaged in cough syrup production.
The government is also intensifying scrutiny of pharmaceutical manufacturing protocols, emphasizing stringent quality control of both raw materials and finished products.
3 Cough Syrups Banned
The CDSCO has informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about the developments and has banned the manufacture and sale of three specific syrups:
- Coldrif
- Resifresh-TR
- Relife
These syrups will now undergo mandatory safety testing, and their production will remain halted until cleared by authorities.
Legal Action and Supreme Court Intervention
A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Supreme Court, demanding a high-level investigation into the matter. The plea, filed by Advocate Vishal Tiwari, has requested an inquiry either by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or the National Judicial Commission.
The matter is likely to be heard on Friday, amid rising public concern over pharmaceutical safety in India.
CAPA Guidelines Not Implemented Fully
The ongoing crisis has also highlighted the failure to implement Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) guidelines, which are crucial to ensuring drug safety. Despite being drafted for maintaining the quality of medicinal products, no state has fully adopted or enforced these protocols, according to official sources.
🇮🇳 A Wake-Up Call for India’s Drug Industry
India, often dubbed the “pharmacy of the world”, is now facing intense scrutiny both domestically and internationally for the safety lapses in drug manufacturing. Recent incidents involving toxic syrups have already tainted the industry’s reputation in Gambia, Uzbekistan, and Cameroon, leading to multiple global alerts.
The current crisis in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan may prove to be a turning point in how India regulates its pharmaceutical sector — especially medicines targeted at children, the most vulnerable section of society.
Parents and healthcare providers are urged to report any adverse reactions to medications and to consult certified medical professionals before administering over-the-counter drugs.
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