• Source:JND
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Cough Syrup Deaths Row: The Punjab Government on Tuesday banned the sale of the cough syrup, ‘Coldrif’, after the samples of the cough syrup were tested and were found ‘Not of Standard Quality’. The Coldrif cough syrup, linked to the death of 14 children in Madhya Pradesh, has so far been banned in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh.

The official order put out by the Food and Drugs Administration of Punjab mentioned the adulteration of the cough syrup with Diethylene Glycol (46.8%). This deadly chemical, which is used in brake fluids and adhesives, can cause permanent damage to the liver, kidneys and the nervous system and is unfit for medical purposes. 

The Joint Commissioner (Drugs) of the Punjab Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has issued strict instructions to all drug dealers, wholesalers, and medical stores prohibiting the sale of these medicines in the open market. Existing stocks must be immediately sealed and reported to the FDA. Violators have been warned of strict action under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.

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“Considering the seriousness of the matter, as the said product has been observed to be linked to the recent deaths of children in the Chhindwara district, Madhya Pradesh, the above-mentioned product is hereby completely prohibited for sale, distribution and utilisation in the state of Punjab with immediate effect in public interest," the Punjab FDA order said.

The cough syrup was manufactured by Sreeson Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Private Limited, located in Sunguvarchatram, Kanchipuram district, Tamil Nadu. It was supposed to contain ingredients like paracetamol, phenylephrine hydrochloride, and chlorpheniramine maleate, but a report from the Madhya Pradesh Drugs Testing Laboratory dated October 4th declared it adulterated with an excessive amount of diethylene glycol.

ALSO READ: What Is Diethylene Glycol, The ‘Medically Unfit’ Chemical Linked To Cough Syrup Deaths In MP? Explained

Madhya Pradesh FDA Bans Two More Cough Syrups

Meanwhile, amid the probe into the children’s deaths, the Madhya Pradesh Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has banned two more cough syrups – ReLife and Respifresh TR. Both these cough syrups were found with increased levels of DEG. 

While the standard only allows for 0.1 per cent in the medicine, ReLife contained 0.616 per cent and Respifresh TR contained 1.342 per cent, according to officials, quoted ANI. The state drug controller has ordered an immediate halt to the sales and seizures of these medicines. Earlier, the MP FDA had banned the cough syrups Coldrif and Nextro-DS. 

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav assured that strict action would be taken against all guilty parties in the Chhindwara case. "The state government is vigilant and sensitive, and no negligence will be tolerated in matters concerning human life. Accordingly, Drug Inspector of Chhindwara Gaurav Sharma, Drug Inspector of Jabalpur Sharad Kumar Jain, and Deputy Director, Food & Drug Administration Shobhit Koshta have been suspended, while Drug Controller Dinesh Maurya has been transferred," said the Chief Minister as stated in the release. The Chief Minister also said that, along with banning the sale of these cough syrups, existing stocks from each shop should be seized.

ALSO READ: MP Cough Syrup Deaths: PIL In Supreme Court Seeks CBI Probe, Retired SC Judge-Monitored Investigation

Tamil Nadu Authorities Raids Coldrif’s Factory

The Tamil Nadu drug control team recently inspected the coldrif manufacturing facility and found more than 350 violations. The report highlighted unhygienic conditions at the plant, with the syrup being manufactured in unclean conditions. 

The company was severely lacking in skilled manpower. The investigating team also found toxic substances like propylene glycol and diethylene glycol in the syrup.

With inputs from ANI