21 Deaths in MP Cough Syrup Tragedy
The cough syrup tragedy that began in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara has now taken a devastating turn, spreading to Betul and Pandhurna. On Wednesday, the state government confirmed three more child deaths, taking the total toll to 21.
Another death was reported from Chhindwara itself, while five children remain in critical condition in Nagpur hospitals. Most of the victims were under five years old and had reportedly consumed the Coldrif cough syrup, later found to be contaminated.
CM Mohan Yadav Acknowledges ‘Lapses’
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav admitted to shortcomings in oversight, saying, “Chook se dukh hota hai” (Mistakes cause pain). He stressed on the need for better coordination among field officials and accepted “collective responsibility” for the tragedy.
“I welcome constructive criticism from all quarters — opposition, media, or anyone else. Everyone should work together so that the system functions smoothly,” Yadav told reporters, adding that lessons must be learned to avoid future mishaps.
Syrup Contained Toxic Industrial Chemical
Preliminary investigations revealed that the Coldrif syrup contained 48.6% diethylene glycol (DEG) — a highly toxic industrial chemical that can cause kidney failure, neurological damage, and death if ingested.
Officials from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) have admitted that some batches were not properly tested before distribution — a major breach of India’s drug safety norms.
“All batches must be tested during and after production,” a senior CDSCO official said, calling the incident a serious lapse in pharmaceutical regulation.
One-Year-Old Boy Survives After Different Syrup
In a rare moment of relief, one-year-old Pratik Pawar from Chhindwara — who had been battling renal failure and encephalopathy — was discharged from a Nagpur hospital on Wednesday. Doctors confirmed that he had been administered a different brand of cough syrup, possibly saving his life.
Tamil Nadu Pharma Owner Arrested
Meanwhile, Ranganathan, the owner of Sresan Pharma, the Tamil Nadu-based company that manufactured the contaminated Coldrif syrup, was arrested by Madhya Pradesh police in Chennai on Wednesday night.
Authorities had earlier registered a case against the company following multiple child deaths in Madhya Pradesh and other states. Investigations are underway to determine how the tainted syrup passed quality checks and entered the market.
Public Outcry and Regulatory Scrutiny
The tragedy has sparked nationwide outrage, with health activists demanding tighter pharmaceutical oversight and immediate reform of drug testing protocols.
Experts have urged the government to strengthen surveillance under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, warning that similar lapses could endanger public trust in India’s pharmaceutical industry — often referred to as the “pharmacy of the world.”
