India Files Criminal Case Against Pharma Firm After Toxic Cough Syrup Kills 10 Children

Indian authorities have initiated criminal proceedings against Sresan Pharma, a pharmaceutical company in Tamil Nadu, after the deaths of ten children in Madhya Pradesh linked to the consumption of their cough syrup, Coldrif, which was found to contain toxic levels of diethylene glycol. The health ministry's tests revealed the syrup exceeded permissible safety limits, prompting charges including culpable homicide not amounting to murder and drug adulteration, as well as the arrest of the prescribing doctor. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation has recommended revoking Sresan Pharma's manufacturing license amidst growing concerns over the safety of Indian pharmaceutical exports, which supply a substantial portion of generic medicines globally. This incident has reignited scrutiny of India's drug quality controls, following similar fatal cases in countries like Cameroon, Gambia, and Uzbekistan. In response to the tragedy, political voices such as the Shiv Sena (UBT) have condemned the use of toxic chemicals in medicine, criticizing government oversight and calling for accountability and stronger regulatory action. The crisis has deeply shaken public trust in government-provided medicines, highlighting the urgent need for systemic reforms in pharmaceutical manufacturing and regulation in India.