Authorities in Madhya Pradesh have ordered the immediate stoppage of sales and distribution of a cough syrup after it was allegedly found to contain a poisonous substance linked to child deaths in the state's Chhindwara district. The Office of the Controller Food and Drugs Administration, Madhya Pradesh, issued an urgent directive Friday to all drugs inspectors across the state regarding Coldrif Syrup manufactured by Sresan Pharmaceutical. The order followed laboratory tests conducted in Tamil Nadu that allegedly revealed alarming findings about the medication. According to a test report from the Government Analyst at the Drug Testing Laboratory in Chennai, the syrup was declared Not of Standard Quality after analysis found it contained 48.6 percent by volume of Diethylene Glycol, a toxic industrial chemical. The report stated the sample was “found to be adulterated, since it contains Diethylene Glycol (48.6% w/v) which is [a] poisonous substance which may render the contents injurious to health”. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said: “The sale of this syrup has been banned across Madhya Pradesh. A ban is also being imposed on the sale of other products of the company that manufactures this syrup”. The CM said the syrup was manufactured in a factory in Kanchipuram, so after the incident came to light, the state government had requested the Tamil Nadu government to conduct an investigation. “The investigation report was received this morning. Strict action has been taken on the basis of the report. After the tragic deaths of the children, action was already underway at the local level. At the state level too, a team has been formed to investigate the matter. The guilty will not be spared at any cost,” he said. Controller Dinesh Kumar Maurya directed all drugs inspectors to take immediate action. The order states: "If the subjected [sic] drug is found available, take necessary action and freeze immediately with instruction not to dispose of [the] drug as per the provision of Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940 and rules made their under”. Inspectors were further instructed to "stop further sale of subjected [sic] drug with immediate effect and Ensure unavailability for sale/distribution in your area of jurisdiction”. The directive also mandates that samples of the drug be drawn for testing and sent to laboratories by hand delivery. Additionally, authorities have been told to check for other batches of Coldrif Syrup and freeze them if found, with samples to be sent for immediate analysis. In a sweeping precautionary measure, the order states: "In larger public interest, it is directed to stop sale and distribution of all other products mfd [sic] by Sresan Pharmaceutical, as per the provision of Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940 and rules made their under and take legal sample for Test Inspectors have also been directed to “keep strong vigil on movement of subjected drug”.
