Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) and Madhya Pradesh Food and Drug Administration (MP FDA) have ordered a full investigation into all medicines administered to the children Drug Controller Dinesh Kumar Maurya said, ‘’Not just two but three syrup samples have been taken primarily. These include Colddrif and Nextro-DS as well as Defrost syrup. In addition, samples of every medicine written in the prescription given to children have also been taken. Besides FDA, the CDSCO team has also conducted random checking and sample collection’’.
According to Drug Controller Dinesh Kumar Maurya, the syrups under suspicion were manufactured by companies in Tamil Nadu and Himachal Pradesh. These medicines were supplied to Chhindwara and nearby areas from these states.
Letters have been sent to the drug controllers of both states, containing detailed information including company names and batch numbers so that the manufacturing units can be investigated. Meanwhile, first batch of samples has already been sent for testing. Strict action will be taken against those found responsible once the reports are received.
Similar cases of kidney toxin injuries in children have also emerged in Bharatpur (Bayana) and Sikar in Rajasthan. Reports indicate that children fell ill, and one child died, after consuming cough syrup containing dextromethorphan hydrobromide.
CDSCO conducts state-wide investigation
The FDA said that the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has collected samples of the suspicious syrups from across Madhya Pradesh. The samples were collected randomly to assess the full extent of the risk on a large scale.
Drug Controller Maurya remarked that teams in all districts have been instructed to stay vigilant. They have been asked to immediately report any new cases. Currently, district teams are carrying out inspections and collecting samples of medicines.
