Toxic Cough Syrup Case: CDSCO Orders License Cancellation After Tamil Nadu Confirms DEG Presence
The Union Health Ministry's response to the deaths of children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan due to toxic cough syrup is under question. The ministry first issued an advisory and later advised states to investigate. The ministry initially gave the drugs a clean chit, but later confirmed the presence of toxic chemicals in Coldrif. Experts say the ministry cannot shirk its responsibility, as the central government is responsible for drug monitoring.
Due to toxic cough syrup, the Union Health Ministry's response to the deaths of 19 children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. After the deaths were reported, the Ministry initially issued an advisory advising caution when administering cough syrup to children.
Later, when the Tamil Nadu investigation report confirmed the presence of toxic chemicals in Coldrif brand cough syrup, Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava held an online meeting and advised states to increase drug testing and monitoring.
Ministry officials are attempting to distance themselves from the entire issue by citing health as a State subject. The Ministry of Health issued its first statement on the deaths of children due to toxic cough syrup on Friday. It stated that experts from the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC), the National Institute of Virology (NIV), and the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) visited the affected areas and collected samples of several drugs.
