The ED is searching seven locations in Chennai connected to Sresan Pharmaceuticals, which made the harmful ‘Coldrif’ syrup. This syrup linked to the deaths of at least 20 children in MP and Rajasthan.
Officials state that the agency is also investigating the homes of senior officials from Tamil Nadu’s drug control office. According to officials, a money laundering case initiated against the pharmaceutical company.
ED raids on sites in Deadly Coldrif Cough Syrup case
Last week, the company’s owner, Ranganathan Govindan, arrested and placed in police custody for 10 days in relation to the case. The ‘Coldrif’ cough syrup was found to be dangerously mixed with diethylene glycol (DEG), a highly toxic substance. Reports indicate more than 350 violations at the company’s Tamil Nadu facility, including 38 serious issues.
The Tamil Nadu Food and Drug Administration (TNFDA) licensed the Kanchipuram-based company in 2011. Despite its poor infrastructure and numerous violations of national drug safety rules, the company continued operating without oversight for over a decade.
WHO raises an alarm
In light of the national outrage over the children’s deaths linked to the tainted cough syrup, the World Health Organisation (WHO) expressed concern about the “regulatory gap” in checking for diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol in medicines sold in India. It also pointed out the possible risk of contaminated products being exported to other countries.
“WHO expresses deep concern over these developments and emphasizes the potential risk of contaminated products being exported to other countries.
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