Cough Syrup Tragedy in Madhya Pradesh
In the Latest News of Madhya Pradesh, at least 14 children have died after consuming a contaminated cough syrup called Coldrif. The syrup was prescribed by Dr. Praveen Soni, a paediatrician in Parasia, Chhindwara district. Authorities are now investigating both the doctor and a family-run pharmacy linked to him.
The incident has drawn national attention and has been widely shared as viral news. Health experts are warning parents to be careful when purchasing medicines for children, emphasizing the importance of buying only verified and safe products.
Doctor Arrested After Investigation
Dr. Praveen Soni was arrested after authorities discovered that the cough syrup he prescribed contained extremely high levels of diethylene glycol (DEG), a toxic chemical. While the World Health Organization allows a maximum of 0.10% DEG in medicines, the syrup reportedly contained 48.6%, which caused the deaths of young patients.
Residents of Parasia expressed shock over the incident. Questions have been raised about whether Dr. Soni knew about the syrup’s toxicity or if this was negligence. Police are continuing their investigation to determine the exact role of the doctor.
Latest News: Family Pharmacy Under Investigation
Authorities have expanded the investigation to Apna Medical Stores, a pharmacy reportedly owned by a family member of Dr. Soni. The Madhya Pradesh government has suspended the pharmacy’s license after an inspection found multiple violations, including incomplete sales records, sale of medicines without a registered pharmacist, and missing documentation for the Coldrif syrup batch.
A Food and Drugs Administration official said, “The clinic owned by one family member is on the ground floor of his home adjacent to his clinic. They could not produce proper documentation of the contaminated syrup batch. We are investigating possible links between the distributor of the syrup and Dr. Soni’s family.”
The authorities are tracing all batches of the syrup sold in Chhindwara and nearby districts. This investigation highlights the risks when family-run pharmacies bypass regulations.
Government Action and Public Safety
The Madhya Pradesh government has seized approximately 400 bottles of the tainted syrup, with concerns that more may still be in circulation. Two drug inspectors, Gaurav Sharma from Chhindwara and Sharad Kumar Jain from Jabalpur, have been suspended for negligence in monitoring pharmacies.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has promised strict action against anyone found responsible. Health experts are calling for better monitoring of pharmacies and stricter regulation of medicines to prevent similar tragedies. Parents are advised to check the sources of medicines and report any suspicious products.
Implications for Healthcare in Madhya Pradesh
The involvement of a family-run pharmacy linked to Dr. Soni has raised serious concerns about pharmaceutical safety. Investigators are tracking the supply chain of Coldrif from Jabalpur to Chhindwara and Parasia to find gaps that allowed the syrup to reach children.
This case shows the need for accountability among healthcare providers and pharmacy owners. It is expected to lead to stricter inspections and stronger guidelines for medicine distribution in Madhya Pradesh.
The deaths caused by contaminated cough syrup in Madhya Pradesh are a serious reminder of the importance of drug safety and regulatory oversight. Authorities are focusing on both the doctor and the family pharmacy to determine responsibility.
Parents are urged to use only safe and verified medicines for their children. This case highlights the consequences of lapses in safety standards and the need for strict monitoring in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors.
Investigations are ongoing, and authorities are expected to provide more details about how the syrup reached children and who is responsible.
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