Madhya Pradesh: The death toll has risen to 16 in Madhya Pradesh after two children died in Betul district after allegedly consuming ‘Coldrif’ cough syrup. According to officials, the deceased, identified as Kabir (4), a resident of Kalmeshwar village, and Garmit (4), from Jamun Bicchua village, died after kidney failure. It is, however, not confirmed if the deaths occurred due to the cough syrup.
Betul CMHO Dr Manoj Kumar Hurmaade told news agency PTI, “We have received the information from Amla tehsil BMO officer that two children of Jamun Bichhawa and Kalmeshwara villages have died after receiving treatment from a private hospital. However, it’s not confirmed whether it has happened due to the cough syrup.” Meanwhile, he urged people to buy medicine only if prescribed by doctors.
The banned ‘Coldrif’ cough syrup contains a toxic chemical, diethylene glycol (DEG). The tragic incident occurred over the past 15 days, prompting the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to carry out a probe. Police have arrested a doctor for alleged negligence after the death of 14 children in Chhindwara. A case has also been registered against the manufacturer of a ‘toxic’ cough syrup.
According to ANI sources, strict compliance with the revised Schedule M by all drug manufacturers was discussed during the high-level meeting of the Health Ministry. It is decided that licences of non-compliant units must be cancelled. States are mandated to ensure the rational use of cough syrups, especially among children
Additionally, States and UTs are directed to ensure “enhanced surveillance, timely reporting by all health facilities, wider dissemination of the community reporting tool of IDSP-IHIP, and strengthened inter-state coordination for early reporting and joint action.”
ALSO READ: Cough Syrup Deaths: Probe launched into AYUSH firms, postmortems conducted on affected hildren
