New Delhi: A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking a judicial probe into the recent child deaths in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan that are allegedly linked to a cough syrup.
The petition has sought directions on authorities for urgent reforms in drug regulation and a nationwide testing of syrups for toxins.
Investigation has revealed that the cough syrup Coldrif caused the deaths of 16 children in the two states. Several children below the age of 12 have also developed complications after being administered the cough syrup since August.
Coldrif is manufactured by Tamil Nadu-based Sresan Pharmaceutical. It has now been banned in several states.
The plea in the Supreme Court has sought a broader inquiry into the manufacture, regulation, testing and distribution of syrups found to contain toxic substances such as Diethylene Glycol (DEG) and Ethylene Glycol (EG).
Diethylene Glycol is a contaminant known to cause serious kidney injury if consumed in higher proportions.
The Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has also questioned why the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) and the Centre haven’t yet directed an immediate recall of the syrup, despite reports of contamination and deaths.
The CDSCO has already recommended cancellation of the manufacturing licence of Sresan Pharmaceutical. Criminal proceedings have also been initiated.
The Union health ministry has also issued an advisory, directing all states on the rational use of cough syrups in children. It further said that cough and cold medications should not be prescribed for children below the age of two years.