Pune (Maharashtra) [India], October 9 (ANI): After reports of multiple child deaths in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan allegedly linked to the consumption of contaminated cough syrup, the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has intensified inspections across Pune district. Acting on directives from the State and Central governments, the FDA's Pune division has launched a large-scale crackdown on cough syrup manufacturers and retailers to ensure public safety.

Joint Commissioner (Drugs), FDA Pune, Girish Hukare, told ANI, 'Following instructions from the State and Central governments, we have begun collecting cough syrup samples from across Pune. These samples are being sent to government laboratories for testing. So far, no stock of Coldrif cough syrup has been found in the city.'

Hukare further informed that based on inputs from the Gujarat government, traces of diethylene glycol (DEG) a toxic chemical known to cause kidney and liver failure were detected in cough syrups produced by two Maharashtra-based pharmaceutical firms. 'The concerned stocks have been seized, and a detailed investigation is underway,' he added.

In a related action, the Pune FDA conducted a raid at a pharmaceutical manufacturing unit in Wadki, near Pune, seizing cough syrup stock worth 13 lakh and approximately 9,000 from Satara district. Officials said samples were collected from the site and sent for laboratory analysis. 'Further steps will be taken after test results are received,' FDA official added.

Earlier today, Madhya Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Health Minister Rajendra Shukla said that the state government is quite active in taking action in the matter over the death of 20 children linked to Coldrif cough syrup in the state.

Deputy CM Shukla highlighted that the owner of the Tamil Nadu-based Sresan pharmaceuticals company, manufacturer of the Coldrif cough syrup due to which children died, was arrested, and he would be brought here on transit remand.

'The state government is very active in taking action in this matter. As soon as we came to know about the children's death due to Coldrif cough syrup, manufactured by Tamil Nadu-based Sresan Pharmaceutical company, an immediate case was registered and an SIT was constituted. Yesterday, the owner of the Coldrif cough syrup manufacturing company was arrested, and he will be brought here on transit remand,' Shukla told ANI.

The Deputy Chief Minister further emphasised that the state government is working sensitively, with CM Mohan Yadav visiting Chhindwara and meeting the affected families. The drug controllers have been advised to ensure that such medicines are not found in the market again in the future. (ANI)