Cough syrup deaths: another child from Madhya Pradesh dies during treatment in Nagpur

One more child from Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara district has died due to kidney failure allegedly caused by the consumption of an adulterated cough syrup, taking the State’s toll to 25. 

According to officials, Ambika Vishwakarma, 3, a resident of Chaurai area, died in the wee hours of Wednesday during treatment at a private hospital in Maharashtra’s Nagpur. 

Chhindwara Additional Collector Dhirendra Singh told The Hindu that the child had been admitted in Nagpur since September 14 but her condition did not improve. 

“As per initial information, she consumed the cough syrup that had been bought directly over the counter. The syrup was not prescribed to her by any doctor. We are currently verifying her medical records,” Mr. Singh said.

He added that one child from Chhindwara and another from neighbouring Betul district are currently under treatment in Nagpur. 

While the State government is yet to provide a consolidated number of deaths, the estimated toll due to renal failure, allegedly caused by ‘Coldrif’ cough syrup, has reached 25, including two children from Betul and one from Pandhurna district. The syrup is manufactured by Tamil Nadu-based Sresan Pharmaceuticals.  

The Chhindwara police have so far arrested a local doctor, Praveen Soni, who prescribed the medicine to most of the children at his private hospital in Parasia block, and the owner of the Pharma company, G. Ranganathan. 

Mr. Soni, who was also a government paediatrician at Parasia Civil Hospital, was also suspended by the State authorities. A deputy drug controller and two drug inspectors were also suspended over negligence in the matter.  

Earlier this month, tests by drug control authorities of Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh revealed the syrup contained 46% Diethylene Glycol (DEG), a toxic industrial solvent. The tragedy has prompted several States to ban the syrup and alert drug control authorities. 

Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu authorities have also revoked the licence of Sresan Pharmaceuticals and shut down the company.