• Source:JND
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Amid the row over cough syrup-related deaths in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, a new report has surfaced claiming that the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) had flagged the lapses on the part of the drug regulator in Tamil Nadu between 2016-17 and 2020-21.

According to a report by The Indian Express, during the specified period, the state drug regulator fell short of its scheduled drug inspection target for inspecting the required samples for testing.

Only 61 per cent of the scheduled drug inspections were carried out between 2016-17 and 2020-21, and only 49 per cent of the required samples were collected.

The CAG sent an audit report to the Tamil Nadu government on August 1, 2024. The report, covering the performance audit for the period between 2016 and 2022, was tabled in the state Assembly on December 10 that year.

The report flagged a number of problems, including weakness in the drug regulator ecosystem and presented the disturbing data on inspections by the state drug regulator, the Indian Express reported.

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What does CAG report say?

As per the CAG data, the inspections done against the target were as follows:

-2016-17: 66,331 of 1,00,800 (34% shortfall)

-2017-18: 60,495 of 1,00,800 (40% shortfall)

-2018-19: 59,682 of 98,280 (39% shortfall)

-2019-20, 62,275 of 1,03,500 (40% shortfall)

-2020-21: 62,358 of 1,00,800 (38% shortfall)

Sample collection during same period

-2016-17: 9,561 of 17,280 (45% shortfall)

-2017-18: 8,908 of 17,280 (48% shortfall)

-2018-19: 8,988 of 19,656 (54% shortfall)

-2019-20: 9,011 of 19,320 (53% shortfall)

-2020-21: 8,604 of 18,816 (54% shortfall)

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Moreover, the report flagged the shortage of workforce, which could have worsened the issue. Against the sanctioned strength of 488, the working strength in the drug control department was 344.

22 Children died in MP

The report raises serious concerns over the lapses, as 22 children died in Madhya Pradesh's Chhindwara after consuming the contaminated syrup Coldrif, which was manufactured by Tamil Nadu-based Sresan Pharmaceuticals.

Later samples were taken from MP and Tamil Nadu in which a toxic substance named Diethylene Glycol (DEG) was found. Three drug inspectors and the doctor who prescribed Coldrif were suspended.

In the wake of the tragic deaths, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has called for a nationwide audit of all cough syrup manufacturers to ensure product safety and strict compliance with quality standards.

Sreshan Pharmaceuticals has been issued a show-cause notice only after the casualties in MP. The Indian Express quoted the officials saying that if Tamil Nadu had conducted regular inspections or had acted on the CAG reports, the gut-wrenching incident could have been averted.