The controversy surrounding the Coldrif cough syrup deaths has intensified, with the Union Health Ministry stressing that the issue is not a political tussle between the Centre and Tamil Nadu, but one of accountability and public safety. Government sources maintained that the tragedy, which has claimed the lives of at least 20 children, demands swift and decisive action rather than mutual finger-pointing. The Centre, however, questioned the Tamil Nadu Food and Drug Administration (TN-FDA) for its delay in taking criminal action against the manufacturer, Sresan Pharmaceuticals, despite repeated recommendations from central regulatory bodies.
Sources from the Health Ministry stated that the Tamil Nadu FDA’s failure to act decisively raised serious concerns. “This is not a blame game from the Centre to the state. But Tamil Nadu FDA is not taking action. The question that needs to be asked is, why haven’t they pressed criminal charges yet, despite the CDSCO recommendation? Why has the license not been cancelled despite the DCGI’s clear direction?” one official said. These remarks came soon after the release of a damning 26-page inspection report by the Tamil Nadu Drugs Control Department, which exposed over 350 violations at Sresan Pharmaceuticals.
The inspection report described alarming conditions at the facility, including unhygienic manufacturing environments, rusted equipment, and the unauthorized use of industrial-grade chemicals unfit for pharmaceutical production. Such blatant violations, according to officials, indicated deep-rooted negligence that directly endangered public health. Following the report, the Tamil Nadu government suspended the company’s production license, issued showcause notices, and initiated steps toward criminal proceedings against the firm.
Defending the state’s actions, Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian asserted that the government acted swiftly and responsibly. “On October 1, we received an emergency alert from Madhya Pradesh linking Coldrif syrup to child deaths in Sindhwara. The same day, we banned its sale across Tamil Nadu to ensure no child here could be harmed. We have not procured this syrup, and all existing orders were canceled immediately,” he said. The minister further explained that on October 3, production at Sresan Pharmaceuticals was halted, and a show-cause notice was issued. Once further testing confirmed the presence of toxic diethylene glycol — a substance previously linked to several global cough syrup tragedies — a second show-cause notice was issued on October 7 to pursue criminal charges.
Tamil Nadu’s Drug Control Commissioner added that an internal cleanup of the department was also underway. He disclosed that all 290 cases involving fake or substandard medicines in the state would be investigated within 15 days. Additionally, an officer was suspended after allegedly withholding crucial investigation files linked to the Coldrif probe. “Our officer was sitting with the entire investigation file, which is why he has been suspended. Prima facie, this appears intentional,” he stated.
The Coldrif syrup incident has reignited national concern about pharmaceutical regulation in India, with experts calling for stricter oversight of small-scale manufacturers and tougher enforcement of existing laws. As both central and state agencies continue their investigations, public health advocates emphasize that accountability must be ensured at every level — from negligent manufacturers to regulatory officials who failed to act in time.
