In a tragic incident that has sparked nationwide outrage, eleven children in Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh, lost their lives after consuming contaminated cough syrup. The syrup, branded as Coldrif, was prescribed by Dr. Praveen Soni, a paediatrician serving at the Parasia government hospital who also ran a private clinic in the area. Following preliminary investigations, Dr. Soni has been arrested and suspended from government service for negligence and violation of medical conduct rules.
Madhya Pradesh Doctor Arrested After 11 Children Die from Contaminated Cough Syrup
According to the state health department, the contaminated syrup contained 48.6% diethylene glycol, a highly toxic chemical that can cause kidney failure, neurological complications, and even death when ingested. This chemical has been linked to several similar tragedies in the past, including incidents in Gambia and Uzbekistan, drawing serious questions about India’s drug safety standards.
The Madhya Pradesh government has taken swift action, registering an FIR against Srisan Pharmaceuticals, the Tamil Nadu–based company that manufactured the syrup. The Tamil Nadu Directorate of Drug Control confirmed that samples tested at the Drug Testing Laboratory in Chennai were declared “Not of Standard Quality.” Production and distribution of Coldrif have been completely banned, and the government is conducting an extensive recall of all its existing stock.
Health Minister Tulsi Silawat announced that a high-level inquiry has been ordered to identify regulatory lapses and ensure accountability across the supply chain. Teams from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have been deployed to inspect medical stores, distributors, and private clinics to prevent further circulation of the contaminated batch.
Locals in Parasia expressed deep anger over the fact that a government doctor was prescribing unverified medicines
Meanwhile, families of the deceased children are demanding justice and stricter monitoring of pharmaceutical manufacturers. Locals in Parasia expressed deep anger over the fact that a government doctor was prescribing unverified medicines in a private setup. The incident has reignited debate over dual practice by public doctors and the need for tighter enforcement of ethical guidelines.
Public health experts have urged authorities to strengthen quality control mechanisms and adopt a real-time drug tracking system to prevent such tragedies in the future. The Union Health Ministry has also sought a detailed report from both the Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu governments regarding the testing, distribution, and licensing process of the syrup.
