MP SIT to probe toxic cough syrup case in Tamil Nadu today, another child dies in Chhindwara

Investigation underway in Tamil Nadu over toxic cough syrup: Another girl died in Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh on Monday after drinking poisonous cough syrup in Tamil Nadu. With this, the number of children dying from this syrup in the state has reached 17.

On October 3rd, when the diethylene glycol content in Coldrif syrup was found to be 48.6 percent, the Tamil Nadu government banned the production of Shreesan Pharma. Now, following an FIR filed against the company in Madhya Pradesh, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the police has been sent to Tamil Nadu.

SIT to investigate

Chhindwara SP Ajay Pandey stated that the SIT will visit the factory on Tuesday to investigate where the manufacturing process went wrong and what ingredients were used in the syrup. Based on the investigation, new facts will be added to the FIR and potential new accused will be identified.

Kidney failure in children, administrative negligence exposed

Several children suffered kidney failure after consuming the toxic syrup. The first death occurred on September 4th, but action was delayed for a month. Now, the administration has taken strict action against the responsible officials.

Drug controller Dinesh Kumar Maurya has been removed, while deputy drug controller Shobhit Koshta, Chhindwara's drug inspector Gaurav Sharma, and Jabalpur's drug inspector Sharad Kumar Jain have been suspended. These officers have been accused of not stopping cough syrup across the state, negligence in sampling, and delay in investigation.

NHRC sent notice to states and center

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Monday issued notice to the Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh governments to investigate the deaths of children and immediately stop the sale of fake medicines.

The Commission has also ordered the Union Ministry of Health, India's Drug Controller General, and the Central Drug Standards Control Organization (CDSCO) to check the supply of fake medicines.  All regional laboratories have been directed to collect samples and submit test reports.

Sales Banned in Other States

Meanwhile, the sale of cold syrup has also been banned in Haryana, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. The Jharkhand government has banned the sale of Coldrif as well as Respifresh and Relief cough syrups.