PIL in SC over deaths of children linked to contaminated cough syrup
In New Delhi, a public‑interest lawsuit has landed on the Supreme Court’s docket after a wave of child deaths linked to a cough syrup sold in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
The case, filed by lawyer Vishal Tiwari, demands urgent court action to stop the distribution of “Coldrif” cough syrup, a product made by Tamil Nadu‑based Sresan Pharma. Lab tests from Madhya Pradesh officials show the syrup contains diethylene glycol (DEG), a toxic solvent that is barred from use in medicines.
Since early September, at least 14 children have died, most of them in Nagpur (Maharashtra) and Chhindwara (Madhya Pradesh). The first deaths appeared in Chhindwara, and the toll rose as similar cases surfaced in Nagpur.
Tiwari argues that the Union government and the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) failed to recall or ban the syrup promptly, allowing the dangerous medicine to keep circulating statewide. The petition compares the tragedy to DEG‑contaminated Indian syrups that killed over 90 children in the Gambia and Uzbekistan.
“The deaths result from negligence, apathy, and regulatory failure,” the petition says. It calls on the Supreme Court to set up a National Judicial Commission headed by a retired judge. The commission would investigate how the syrup was made, tested, and sold, and would recommend sweeping reforms for drug safety.
The petition also seeks a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe overseen by a former apex court judge. It urges the top court to transfer all pending criminal cases about these deaths to the CBI for a uniform investigation.
Another request asks the Supreme Court to order an immediate recall, seizure, and ban of all Coldrif batches until independent NABL‑accredited labs confirm they are safe.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has already sent notices to health ministries in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, complaining that lax drug‑safety rules caused the tragedy. The NHRC directed the Drugs Controller General of India, CDSCO, and the Union Ministry of Health to investigate the supply chain and to have all regional labs test samples. State drug‑control authorities now face orders to submit timely bans on the suspect products.
The case underscores growing concerns over drug safety in India and the urgent need for tighter oversight to protect children from contaminated medicines.
Source: ianslive
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