11 children's deaths: Drug watchdog urges strict action against Coldrif
What's the story
The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) is planning to take strict action against the manufacturers of Coldrif syrup. This comes after 11 children died allegedly due to contaminated cough syrups. The CDSCO has asked the Tamil Nadu Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to proceed with stringent measures under serious offenses, news agency ANI reported.
National conference
Union Health Secretary to hold video conference
The Union Health Secretary will hold a video conference with health officials from all states and Union Territories. The meeting aims to discuss the rational use of cough syrups and drug quality standards across India. This comes in light of the deaths of 11 children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, which have been linked to contaminated cough syrups.
Ongoing investigation
Risk-based inspections of drug manufacturing units
The CDSCO has started risk-based inspections of drug manufacturing units in six states—Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra. This comes after 19 samples were collected from these states for testing. A multidisciplinary team of experts is now analyzing the samples to determine what caused the deaths in Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh.
Sample analysis
Samples tested free of toxic compounds
Earlier this week, the CDSCO confirmed that six of its tested samples and three from Madhya Pradesh Food and Drugs Administration were free of toxic compounds Diethylene Glycol (DEG) and Ethylene Glycol (EG). These compounds are known to cause severe kidney damage. However, officials clarified that these samples did not include the two cough syrups under scrutiny, including Coldrif.
Regional action
Several states act against cold-rub syrup
In light of the CDSCO's findings, several states have acted against Coldrif syrup. Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Madhya Pradesh have banned its sale. Telangana has issued a public alert asking people to stop using the product. The actions come as part of efforts to ensure drug safety and quality across India after the tragic deaths of children allegedly linked to contaminated cough syrups.