A shocking tragedy has unfolded in Madhya Pradesh, where 19 children have reportedly died after consuming a cough syrup named “Coldrif.” The incident has triggered nationwide outrage and prompted immediate action from health authorities.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the syrup was being sold irregularly across several pharmacies without proper regulatory approval. The state government has placed these pharmacies under strict surveillance. Meanwhile, multiple samples of the syrup have been sent to laboratories in Rajasthan for chemical testing to identify possible toxic ingredients.
According to official sources, the syrup was manufactured by Sresan Pharma, a company now accused of violating several drug manufacturing norms. The owner of the company and a local pharmacist have already been arrested.
Following the deaths, the Ministry of Health issued an urgent advisory warning against giving cough syrups to children under two years of age especially those not approved by certified authorities. Pharmacies have also been instructed to verify batch numbers and approval certificates before selling any medicine.
Grieving families are now demanding justice, questioning the government’s oversight and quality control system. “Had there been proper monitoring, could so many innocent lives have been saved?” one bereaved parent asked.
Although the official lab results are yet to be released, experts suspect the presence of diethylene glycol or ethylene glycol, both known toxic compounds linked to previous child deaths in Africa and other parts of the world.
The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has been directed to re-evaluate all cough syrups currently sold across India to ensure safety and compliance.
This incident has reignited concerns about the safety and regulation of India’s pharmaceutical industry. Experts warn that “no matter how advanced a nation’s drug industry becomes, children’s lives must never be the price of negligence.”
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