Madhya Pradesh Doctor Arrested After Deaths Of Multiple Children Linked To Contaminated Cough Syrup

Authorities in Madhya Pradesh arrested Dr Praveen Soni late on Saturday (4 October) following the deaths of 11 children in Chhindwara district, which have been traced to contaminated cough syrup, India Today reported.

Police had earlier registered an FIR against both Dr Soni and the operators of Sresun Pharmaceuticals, the Tamil Nadu-based manufacturer of Coldrif. The action followed a complaint filed by Ankit Sahlam, Block Medical Officer at the Parasia Community Health Centre.

The case has been filed under Section 27(A) of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and Sections 105 and 276 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), based on a complaint by Ankit Sahlam, Block Medical Officer of Parasia Community Health Centre.

Laboratory analysis confirmed that the syrup contained 48.6 per cent Diethylene Glycol (DEG), a highly toxic substance known to cause kidney failure and death if consumed.

The Madhya Pradesh government subsequently prohibited the sale, distribution, and disposal of the syrup, ordering all existing stock to be sealed.

The ban was extended to all products manufactured by Sresun Pharmaceuticals, which is already under investigation in Tamil Nadu after at least 12 child deaths, including nine in Madhya Pradesh, two in Maharashtra, and one in Rajasthan were linked to the same formulation.

The Union Health Secretary is expected to convene a meeting with state health authorities and drug controllers via video conference to review the rational use of cough syrups and reinforce drug quality standards nationwide.

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