Gov't Sets January 1 as Final Date for Compliance
Taking serious note of reports of child deaths due to contaminated cough syrups, the Central Government sent out a word of strict caution to pharmaceutical firms. The Centre instructed all manufacturing units to conform to international standards of Good Manufacturing Practices by January 1. In a statement issued in this regard, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation said there would be no extension beyond that date. Companies failing to do so will be closed down.
India Faces Global Pressure Over Cough Syrup Deaths
Cough syrups manufactured in India have been blamed for the deaths of children both within and outside the country. Cases came from Gambia, Uzbekistan, and Cameroon, each where the exported Indian syrups caused multiple child fatalities. The incidents brought worldwide attention to the outdated manufacturing practices and weak regulatory oversight of India. To this, the Centre has stressed that all pharmaceutical manufacturers must conform to WHO quality standards without any delay.
Details of the Coldriff Case in Madhya Pradesh
More than 20 children died in Madhya Pradesh after consuming cough syrup Coldriff manufactured by Shresan Pharma, based in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu. Investigations showed that the product contained 48.6% diethylene glycol-a highly toxic chemical. Serious lapses in supervision and poor safety practices during its production were found by the authorities. As no immediate action was taken, the contaminated syrup had reached the market.
Action Against Violating Pharma Companies
More than 300 deviations of manufacturing norms by Shresan Pharma were recorded in this inspection. These deviations led the Tamil Nadu government to cancel the license of the firm concerned. This sent a lesson that the industry would have to modernize operations to give less room to quality control failure.
