The Madhya Pradesh government has joined Tamil Nadu and Kerala in prohibiting the use of Cold Cuff Syrup, following alarming reports linking the syrup to the deaths of several children in the region. In addition to this specific product, other offerings from the same manufacturer have also been banned. Investigations revealed that the syrup contained diethylene glycol (DEG), a toxic chemical associated with kidney failure, which has tragically resulted in the loss of young lives in Chhindwara. In response to this crisis, Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav has announced financial assistance for the families who have lost children due to this disturbing situation.
State Bureau, Bhopal. Following the bans imposed by Tamil Nadu and Kerala, Madhya Pradesh has also moved to prohibit the sale and usage of Cold Cuff Syrup, manufactured by Srisan, a company based in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu. In light of the recent tragedies, the state has also halted the distribution of other products produced by the same company.
The issue gained significant attention after several children in Madhya Pradesh and nearby Rajasthan succumbed to kidney-related complications. Consequently, the Tamil Nadu government’s Drug Administration took action to investigate samples from the production unit of the syrup. Alarmingly, the SR-13 batch was found to contain dangerously high levels of diethylene glycol.
State Government’s Investigation Lags
It is troubling to note that despite the serious findings regarding the presence of DEG in the syrup, the Madhya Pradesh government has yet to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter. Previously, Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla, responsible for overseeing health department affairs, had stated that reports from nine tested samples did not indicate harmful substances in the syrup.
In a tragic development, a young girl from Chhindwara passed away while receiving treatment at a hospital in Nagpur on Saturday. Alarmingly, the death toll has now reached ten children, with a further twelve currently undergoing treatment in Nagpur. In light of these heart-wrenching circumstances, Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav has pledged financial aid of four lakh rupees to the bereaved families.
Kidney Failure Cases on the Rise in Madhya Pradesh
Reports indicate that numerous children in Chhindwara experienced severe urinary issues following the consumption of the syrup, leading to kidney failures and subsequent fatalities. The first death was reported on September 4, yet the Health Department did not act with urgency. It was only after DEG was detected in the kidney biopsies of affected children that the syrup faced a ban, following orders from the district collector in Chhindwara. Just a week prior, a central and state team had collected 19 samples of various syrup brands consumed by the children, with nine reports confirming the presence of Cold Cuff Syrup.
Investigation Reveals High Levels of Diethylene Glycol
Dinesh Maurya, controller of the Madhya Pradesh Food and Drug Administration, reported that the Tamil Nadu investigation uncovered diethylene glycol levels at an alarming 48.6 percent, a staggering figure compared to the legally permissible limit of just 0.1 percent. This substance poses significant health risks. The drug administration collected thirteen samples, and while reports for three different syrup brands have been received, none contained DEG. Furthermore, the Central Drug Standard Control Organization did not find DEG in six different syrup samples.
Another Child Fatality Reported in Rajasthan
In a separate but equally tragic incident, another child died in Churu, Rajasthan, linked to the consumption of a cough syrup. The Rajasthan government has responded by banning all nineteen pharmaceutical products from Kayson Pharma, a Jaipur-based manufacturer of cough syrups. These medications were previously distributed to government hospitals under the Chief Minister’s Free Drug Scheme.
Despite the severity of the situation, Medical Minister Gajendra Singh Khivansar asserted that there have been no confirmed fatalities due to the cough syrup. He emphasized that state lab examinations revealed the syrups to be safe. It is worth mentioning that one child in Sikar and two in Bharatpur have died after consuming the syrup. Additionally, over thirty children have fallen ill following ingestion of the product. After the death of a child in Bharatpur, the family raised concerns, leading to further investigations as doctors and three staff members who administered the syrup also reported illnesses.
Kerala Also Imposes Ban on Cold Cuff Syrup
In light of the distressing reports concerning the deaths of at least eleven children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan last month, the state of Kerala has taken action by banning the sale and distribution of Cold Cuff Syrup. Health Minister Veena George announced on Saturday that the state’s drug control department has mandated an immediate halt to all sales of this product as a preventive measure.
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