Authorities in Madhya Pradesh are facing yet another health crisis as a government hospital in Gwalior’s Morar town has come under investigation after a woman alleged that worms were found in a bottle of antibiotic medicine given to her child. The complaint emerged just days after the state was shaken by the deaths of 24 children due to the consumption of a toxic cough syrup, sparking widespread public outrage and triggering a series of inspections across state hospitals.
According to officials, the incident occurred when the woman brought her child to the Morar government hospital for treatment and was handed a bottle of Azithromycin oral suspension. Upon opening it at home, she claimed to have found worms inside. Following her complaint, authorities moved swiftly to seal the hospital’s entire stock of the medicine and began an immediate probe. Drug inspector Anubhuti Sharma confirmed that all 306 bottles of the antibiotic distributed or stored in the facility were seized, and samples were dispatched to Bhopal for laboratory analysis to confirm whether the medicine was contaminated.
Initial checks of some bottles did not reveal visible signs of contamination, but officials emphasized that only chemical and microbiological testing could verify the safety of the batch. The antibiotic, Azithromycin oral suspension, is a widely used medication prescribed for bacterial infections in children. The product was reportedly manufactured by a Madhya Pradesh-based pharmaceutical firm, whose production and supply chain are now under examination by health authorities.
To ensure transparency, a second set of samples has been sent to the Central Drug Laboratory in Kolkata for independent verification. This incident has drawn further scrutiny because it follows closely after the Chhindwara tragedy, where 24 children reportedly died from kidney failure linked to adulterated cough syrup. The syrup, identified as “Coldrif,” was found to contain ethylene glycol, a toxic chemical also responsible for several international poisoning cases.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently issued an alert about three Indian-made syrups—Coldrif, Respifresh TR, and ReLife—labeling them as substandard and unsafe for use. The revelation intensified concerns about the state’s pharmaceutical oversight, prompting the Madhya Pradesh government to initiate widespread inspections and impose a ban on the sale of Coldrif statewide.
Meanwhile, legal proceedings have intensified in the toxic syrup case. A local court has denied bail to pediatrician Dr. Praveen Soni, who was arrested for allegedly accepting commissions from Sersan Pharma, the manufacturer of Coldrif, in exchange for prescribing the syrup. Police informed the court that Dr. Soni admitted to receiving a 10% kickback and continued to prescribe the medicine even after noticing alarming symptoms such as urinary retention and kidney dysfunction among child patients.
Court documents revealed that the first death occurred on August 29 when a four-year-old succumbed to kidney failure, followed by another child a week later. Despite clear warnings and an advisory issued by the Union Health Ministry in December 2023, cautioning against prescribing Fixed Dose Combination (FDC) drugs to children under four, Dr. Soni allegedly ignored the directive and continued recommending Coldrif.
His defense argued that the syrup had been prescribed safely for years, but the court rejected the plea, asserting that as a senior medical practitioner, he bore a greater responsibility to follow national health guidelines. The court stated that the accusations were grave and that granting bail could compromise the investigation by enabling the accused to influence witnesses.
The Madhya Pradesh Police have now registered a formal FIR against multiple individuals and entities, including Sersan Pharma and its distributors, for their alleged role in promoting and distributing the toxic medicine. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been established to trace the supply chain, identify the extent of contamination, and uncover the financial nexus between pharmaceutical agents and healthcare professionals.
As the state grapples with two overlapping pharmaceutical scandals, questions are being raised about the integrity of drug quality control and medical oversight in government-run healthcare institutions. The Gwalior incident has deepened public mistrust, compelling the state government to tighten regulatory enforcement, review hospital procurement systems, and enhance drug testing protocols to prevent further tragedies.
