Madhya Pradesh Doctor Arrested Following Deaths of 10 Children from Toxic Cough Syrup

Earlier on Saturday, Madhya Pradesh police registered an FIR against Dr. Praveen Soni and the operators of Sresun Pharmaceuticals.

The manufacturer of Coldrif cough syrup, following the deaths of 10 children in Chhindwara. The case was filed under Section 27(A) of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and Sections 105 and 276 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), based on a complaint by Ankit Sahlam, Block Medical Officer of Parasia Community Health Centre.

Toxic Syrup Linked to Deaths

Investigations revealed that Dr. Soni had prescribed Coldrif syrup to most of the affected children. Laboratory tests released on Friday confirmed that the syrup contained 48.6% Diethylene Glycol (DEG) — a highly toxic chemical known to cause kidney failure and death if ingested.

Government Response and Nationwide Advisory

Sources said that the Union Health Secretary will hold a video conference with Principal Secretaries (Health), Health Secretaries, and Drug Controllers of all states and Union Territories to discuss the safe and rational use of cough syrups and ensure medicine quality.

Ban on Coldrif Syrup

The Madhya Pradesh government banned the sale and distribution of Coldrif syrup after tests confirmed contamination in samples collected from the batch linked to the 10 child deaths. According to the state drug controller, the syrup manufactured by Sresun Pharmaceuticals in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, was found “non-standard and defective (NSQ)” in a report from the Tamil Nadu Drug Control Directorate dated October 2.

Officials confirmed that the contaminated syrup was unsafe for human consumption, prompting the government to order an immediate halt to sale, distribution, and disposal of all Coldrif stocks, which must now be sealed until further notice.

Extended Ban and Wider Scrutiny

The ban was extended to all products manufactured by Sresun Pharmaceuticals. Tamil Nadu authorities had already imposed a similar ban on October 1, after preliminary reports linked Coldrif to the deaths of at least 12 children — nine in Madhya Pradesh, two in Maharashtra, and one in Rajasthan. Sresun Pharmaceuticals is now under strict regulatory scrutiny.