• Source:JND
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Cough Syrup Row: Amid the massive controversy over 20 children’s deaths linked to the Coldrif cough syrup, manufactured by Tamil Nadu-based Sresan Pharma, the DMK government has blamed the previous AIADMK regime for the flawed drug testing in the state, which was flagged by the central auditors last year. 

According to a report by The Indian Express, a CAG report, tabled in December 2024, flagged lapses in drug safety monitoring by the Tamil Nadu authorities. According to the audit, the state drug control department had fallen far short in inspection and sample collection.

The report further states that in 2016-17, Tamil Nadu was required to conduct 1,00,800 drug inspections, but only 66,331 were carried out. By 2020-21, this gap had widened, with only 62,358 inspections conducted against the same target. Similarly, the drug sample collection rates also decreased, with shortfalls reaching up to 54 per cent over the years. 

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Citing the date presented in the CAG report, Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian said that the shortfall in testing and inspections occurred during the Palaniswami-led AIADMK government in the state.

“The timeline of the shortfall occurred between 2016 and 2021 when the AIADMK led by Edappadi Palaniswami was in power,” Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian said, adding, "EPS ought to respond to these failures.”

Tamil Nadu Health Secretary, meanwhile, backed the DMK government over the issue and said that action has been taken against faulty manufacturing units across the state. "There were lapses over the last two years, and action was taken. Intensive inspections have been ordered at other manufacturing units. Around 300 violations were found at the Sresan facility, and criminal action has been initiated.”

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AIADMK General Secretary Slams DMK Government

The AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami earlier criticised the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government for its "negligence" after 20 deaths of children in Madhya Pradesh after consuming Coldrif cough syrup, manufactured by Sresan Pharmaceuticals, a Kanchipuram-based company.

Palaniswami's statement came after Madhya Pradesh Police arrested the owner of Sresan Pharmaceuticals from Tamil Nadu.

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"A cough syrup manufacturing company in Kanchipuram have produced a product that has been sold in Madhya Pradesh, where 20 children died. The Tamil Nadu Government and its health department don't even know about this company, which manufactures cold syrup. It shows how this government cares for the people," he said.

He further blamed the Tamil Nadu government for the lack of proactive measures taken by the state. The AIADMK General Secretary highlighted the fact that state authorities were only alerted about the manufacture of cough syrups after the arrival of the Madhya Pradesh police. 

(With ANI Inputs)