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So far 24 children have died due to poisonous cough syrup in Madhya Pradesh. On Thursday, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has decided to conduct investigation and sample testing of pharma companies manufacturing syrup across the country.
The government has sought a list of syrup manufacturing companies from all states and union territories, so that their quality and safety can be checked. CDSCO said that the sale and production of three syrups Coldrif, Respifresh-TR and Relife in the market has also been banned.
At the same time, the Drugs Controller General (DCGI) directed all the states to test the raw materials and finished medicines before making the medicine. Investigation has found that many pharmaceutical companies are not testing every batch properly, due to which the quality of medicines is deteriorating.
Earlier, the SIT team of Madhya Pradesh had arrested Govindan Ranganathan, director of Coldrif syrup manufacturing company Shreesan Pharma in Chennai on Wednesday night. The SIT has also seized important documents, medicine samples and production records from the company. Read the full news…
There was a reward of Rs 20,000 on G Ranganathan, director of Shreesan Pharma, which manufactures Coldrif.
Demand for CBI investigation, hearing in Supreme Court on Friday
The Supreme Court can hear on Friday the PIL filed regarding the investigation of the case. In the petition of lawyer Vishal Tiwari, a demand has been made to investigate this matter by forming a committee of experts through the National Judicial Commission or CBI.
So far, no state has been able to fully comply with the Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) guidelines. This guideline has been created to maintain the safety and quality of medicines.
Following the government order, drug departments of 18 states have registered on the online National Drugs Licensing System (ONDLS). It is a single-window digital platform, through which all licenses and permissions related to medicines can be given online.
More than 350 irregularities found in Coldrif factory
The investigation committee of the Tamil Nadu government had found more than 350 irregularities in the factory of Srisan Pharmaceuticals, which manufactures Coldrif. Which were kept in critical and major categories. On October 7, the Drugs Control Department of Tamil Nadu had issued a show cause notice to the syrup manufacturing company, Sreesan Pharmaceuticals. The government had sought a reply from the company within five days.
48% poison in Coldrif syrup made in Tamil Nadu
Coldrif syrup (batch number SR-13) was seized from the unit of Srisan Pharmaceutical located at Sunguvarchatram in Kanchipuram district. Investigation revealed that it used non-pharmacopoeia grade propylene glycol, which was possibly contaminated with diethylene glycol (DEG) and ethylene glycol. Both the chemicals are poisonous substances that harm the kidneys.
As soon as the samples were sent to the government drugs testing lab in Chennai, the report was given within 24 hours. It was found that this batch of Coldrif syrup was poisonous with 48.6% w/v DEG and ‘Not of Standard Quality’. While the other four medicines (Respolite D, GL, ST and Hepsandin syrup) were found to be of standard quality.
They were banned first
Coldriff batch number SR-13 and Nextro-DS batch number AQD-2559 cough syrup were banned after the deaths of the children. Public Health and Medical Education Department has issued batch no. of syrup ‘DeFrost’ of Ark Pharmaceuticals Company of Indore. Instructions were given to recall 11198 from the market.
Madhya Pradesh government has given instructions to take special precautions regarding the use of chemicals like Chlorpheniramine Maleate and Phenylephrine HCl.
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Notice to Rajasthan-MP government on death due to cough syrup, NHRC asks Health Ministry to investigate
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Monday issued notices to the governments of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, directing them to investigate the deaths of children due to fake cough syrup. Along with this, instructions were also given to immediately ban the sale of fake medicines. Read the full news…
