Madhya Pradesh doctor arrested after 11 children die consuming cough syrup

Authorities in Madhya Pradesh have arrested a doctor in Chhindwara district following the deaths of 11 children who reportedly consumed contaminated cough syrup. The doctor, identified as Praveen Soni, is accused of prescribing Coldrif syrupto several young patients, most of whom had been treated at his clinic in Parasia. Police have also filed a case against the Tamil Nadubased pharmaceutical company responsible for manufacturing the allegedly contaminated syrup. An FIR was registered early Sunday at the Parasia police station in Chhindwara district against Sresan Pharmaceuticals and a local paediatrician in connection with the suspected contamination. According to distraught families, the children first complained of a cold and mild fever in early September. They were then prescribed routine medication, including cough syrups, after which they seemed to recover. But within days, the symptoms returned, followed by a sudden and alarming decrease in urine output. Their condition then worsened into kidney infections, and they later died. Kidney biopsies then revealed the presence of diethylene glycol contamination. After this , Tamil Nadu government banned Coldrif syrup. S Gurubharathi, Deputy Director of Drugs Control cum Controlling and Licensing Authority, told the TNIE that all drug inspectors across the state have been asked to prevent the sale of Coldrif by pharmacies and freeze the stock wherever available until further orders. On Saturday, the Madhya Pradesh government banned Coldrif syrup, following reports of nine child deaths due to suspected renal failure since September 7. Currently, 13 children, including eight from Chhindwara and Nagpur, are undergoing treatment. Kerala has also suspended the sale of Coldrif syrup following concerns raised by other states, though preliminary inquiry revealed the flagged batch was not sold in the state, Kerala Health Minister Veena George clarified. CDSCO launches inspections of drug manufacturing units in six states after cough syrup deaths