PGI doctors develop cure for celphos poisoning, major cause of farmer suicide

Conducted at PGI’s Department of Internal Medicine, this study is the first clinical study to demonstrate the effectiveness of intravenous lipid emulsion as a novel life-saving therapy in this otherwise highly fatal condition.

Written by: Parul

3 min readChandigarhUpdated: Feb 3, 2026 07:18 PM IST

Budget, budget allocation, Union Budget 2026, Nirmala Sitharaman, Chandigarh, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, PGIMER, Chandigarh budget allocation, Indian express news, current affairs

PGIMER doctors report breakthrough therapy for deadly Celphos poisoning, first clinical study shows life-saving results. (File)

Doctors at Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, have reported a breakthrough in the treatment of aluminium phosphide, commonly known as Celphos — one of the deadliest forms of poisoning seen in North India.

Conducted at PGI’s Department of Internal Medicine, this study is the first clinical study to demonstrate the effectiveness of intravenous lipid emulsion as a novel life-saving therapy in this otherwise highly fatal condition.

The important findings were published in the internationally reputed journal — ‘European Review of Medical and Pharmacological Sciences’ — bringing global recognition to research that addresses a major public-health problem.

The study was carried out under the guidance of Sanjay Jain, Dean (Academics), Professor and Head of the Department of Internal Medicine, PGI. Jain’s clinical leadership in emergency care played a crucial role in the management of these critically ill patients.

The research was funded by the Medical Education and Research Cell (MERC), PGI, underlining the strong institutional support for clinically relevant and socially impactful research.

This randomised clinical study was led by Mandip Singh Bhatia, Associate Professor of Internal Medicine, and Saurabh Chandrabhan Sharda was the co-investigator, along with other authors from the department.

Encouraging results

Patients who received intravenous lipid emulsion in addition to standard medical treatment showed a marked reduction in mortality. They also recorded faster correction of severe metabolic acidosis and improved hemodynamic stability, including those with shock and cardiac complications. The findings clearly demonstrate that early administration of this therapy can significantly alter the clinical course of aluminium phosphide poisoning.

A practical therapy

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A major advantage of this novel treatment is its practicality. Intravenous lipid emulsion is inexpensive, widely available and already stocked in most hospitals across India, including district hospitals and peripheral healthcare facilities. Because of its low cost and easy availability, this therapy has the potential to save lives even in rural and far-flung areas, where Celphos poisoning is highest and access to advanced critical care is often limited.

Aluminum phosphide poisoning continues to be a serious public-health challenge, particularly in agricultural states like Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. These states bear the maximum disease burden due to widespread use of this compound as a grain preservative.

The availability of an effective, affordable, and evidence-based treatment is therefore of immense importance for these regions.

Parul

Parul is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express in Chandigarh. She is a seasoned journalist with over 25 years of experience specializing in public health, higher education, and the architectural heritage of Northern India. Professional Profile Education: Graduate in Humanities with a specialized focus on Journalism and Mass Communication from Panjab University, Chandigarh. Career Path: She began her career covering local city beats and human interest stories before joining The Indian Express in 2009. Over the last decade and a half, she has risen to the rank of Principal Correspondent, becoming the publication’s primary voice on Chandigarh’s premier medical and academic institutions. Expertise: Her reporting is deeply rooted in the institutional dynamics of PGIMER (Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research) and Panjab University. She is highly regarded for her ability to navigate complex administrative bureaucracies to deliver student-centric and patient-centric news. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2024 - 2025) Her recent work highlights critical reporting on healthcare infrastructure, academic governance, and urban culture: 1. Public Health & PGIMER "PGIMER expands digital registry: Centralized patient records to reduce wait times by 40%" (Nov 20, 2025): A detailed look at the digital transformation of one of India's busiest medical institutes to tackle patient influx. "Robotic Surgery at PGI: Why the new urology wing is a game-changer for North India" (Oct 12, 2025): Reporting on the acquisition of state-of-the-art medical technology and its impact on affordable healthcare. "Shortage of life-saving drugs: Inside the supply chain crisis at government pharmacies" (Dec 5, 2025): An investigative piece on the logistical hurdles affecting chronic patients in the tri-city area. 2. Education & Institutional Governance "Panjab University Senate Election: The battle for institutional autonomy" (Dec 18, 2025): In-depth coverage of the high-stakes internal elections and the friction between traditional governance and central reforms. "Research funding dip: How PU’s science departments are navigating the 2025 budget cuts" (Nov 5, 2025): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing researchers and the impact on India's global academic ranking. 3. Art, Culture & Heritage "Le Corbusier’s legacy in peril: The struggle to preserve Chandigarh’s Capitol Complex" (Dec 22, 2025): A feature on the conservation efforts and the tension between urban modernization and UNESCO heritage status. "Chandigarh Art District: How street murals are reclaiming the city’s grey walls" (Oct 30, 2025): A cultural profile of the local artists transforming the aesthetic of the "City Beautiful." Signature Style Parul is known for her empathetic lens, often centering her stories on the individuals affected by policy—whether it is a student navigating university red tape or a patient seeking care. She possesses a unique ability to translate dense administrative notifications into actionable information for the public. Her long-standing beat experience makes her a trusted source for "inside-track" developments within Chandigarh’s most guarded institutions. X (Twitter): @parul_express ... Read More

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