Cough syrup tragedy: IMA appeals to health minister over wrongful arrest of doctor

The Indi an Medical Association (IMA) has appealed to Union Health Minister JP Nadda for urgent intervention following the arrest of a pediatrician in Madhya Pradesh after the deaths of children linked to a “contaminated” cough syrup. The association demanded the immediate withdrawal of the case, describing the doctor as a “secondary victim” of systemic failures.

In a letter dated October 8, IMA National President Dr Dilip Bhanushali condemned the action against the registered medical practitioner (RMP), pointing out that the tragedy stems from lapses at the manufacturer level and failures in regulatory oversight. The owner of Sresan Pharmaceuticals, S. Ranganathan, whose “Coldrif” syrup was linked to the deaths of at least 17 children in Madhya Pradesh, was arrested in Chennai on October 8 and will be produced in court before being moved to Chhindwara for further legal proceedings.

“The primary legal liability for introducing an adulterated drug into the market rests squarely with the manufacturer and the enforcement agencies,” the letter stated. It further warned that the doctor’s arrest sends a harmful message to healthcare providers nationwide, potentially fostering fear and defensive medicine practices, including reluctance to prescribe affordable generic drugs.

The IMA highlighted that physicians prescribe drugs in good faith, based on approvals from competent regulatory bodies and certified supply chains. Doctors have no mechanism to detect hidden contamination in drugs, such as toxic substances like Diethylene Glycol (DEG) or Ethylene Glycol (EG). Holding them culpable for defects in drug formulation, the letter said, is unfair and shifts accountability away from those truly responsible.

Dr Bhanushali urged the ministry to recognize the doctor as a victim of professional defamation and trauma, emphasizing that criminalizing good-faith prescriptions undermines patient care and threatens the medical profession.

The association also proposed systemic reforms to prevent such tragedies, including strengthening regulatory infrastructure and manpower, mandatory contaminant testing, robust drug recall policies, enhanced pharmacovigilance, and risk-based inspections.

The incident has already claimed 20 children lives in Madhya Pradesh, with five children in critical condition after consuming the toxic Coldriff cough syrup, reportedly causing kidney failure. In response, the state government suspended two drug inspectors and a deputy director of the Food and Drug Administration and transferred the state’s drug controller.In a letter dated October 8, IMA National President Dr Dilip Bhanushali condemned the action against the registered medical practitioner (RMP), pointing out that the tragedy stems from lapses at the manufacturer level and failures in regulatory oversight. Dr Praveen Soni from Chhindwara was arrested for alleged negligence in prescribing the syrup, while the owner of Sresan Pharmaceuticals, S. Ranganathan, whose “Coldrif” syrup was linked to the deaths of at least 17 children in Madhya Pradesh, was arrested in Chennai and will be produced in court before being moved to Chhindwara for further legal proceedings.

The IMA urged Nadda to focus enforcement and investigative efforts on manufacturers and regulatory bodies responsible for the lapse, calling a strong, credible drug oversight system essential for safe patient care.