Child Deaths in India Linked to Adulterated Cough Syrup, Exposing Regulatory Weaknesses

Tragically, at least 24 children, all under five years old, have died in Madhya Pradesh over the past month after consuming adulterated cough syrup. The deaths are primarily linked to specific batches of three oral liquid medicines: Coldrif, Respifresh TR, and ReLife, which were found to contain diethylene glycol (DEG), a toxic industrial solvent. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) confirmed the contamination but stated these batches were not exported. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a global alert, urging countries to monitor for these products.

This incident echoes similar tragedies in The Gambia, Uzbekistan, and Cameroon, where children died from Indian-made cough syrups. Experts point to systemic failures in India's pharmaceutical regulatory oversight, weak quality control, and outdated laws like the Drugs and Cosmetics Act of 1940. The infrastructure for testing is underdeveloped, and there is poor coordination between central and state drug regulators. Contract manufacturing practices and insufficient pharmacovigilance further compound these issues.

Impact: This news significantly impacts the Indian pharmaceutical sector, investor confidence in drug safety and manufacturing standards, and the country's international reputation as a reliable medicine exporter. It also highlights a critical public health and governance issue. Rating: 8/10.

Difficult Terms: Diethylene Glycol (DEG): A toxic industrial solvent that can cause severe kidney damage and death when ingested. Adulterated: Mixed with a foreign or inferior substance, often fraudulently. Regulatory Oversight: The supervision and control of an industry or activity by a regulatory authority. Pharmaceuticals: Drugs or medicines; the industry involved in their production and sale. Contract Manufacturing: When a company hires another company to produce its products, often to save costs. Pharmacovigilance: The science and activities relating to the detection, assessment, understanding, and prevention of adverse effects or any other medicine-related problem.