Pimpri-Chinchwad (Maharashtra) [India], October 10 (HBTV): The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in Pune has seized stock worth INR 13 lakh from Rednex Pharma following the deaths of 20 children due to the consumption of contaminated cough syrup in Madhya Pradesh.
Girish Hukare, Joint Commissioner for Drugs at the FDA Pune, said that the Gujarat Government had reported high levels of diethylene glycol in products manufactured by Rednex Pharmaceutical and Shape Pharma. He added that an extensive drive has been launched to inspect local manufacturers.
‘Gujarat Government's samples revealed high levels of diethylene glycol in products from Rednex Pharmaceutical and Shape Pharma. In Pune, we have seized the stock of Rednex Pharma worth INR 13 lakh. Additionally, a drive has been initiated to inspect local manufacturers to ensure compliance with standards, with surprise visits planned. Legal actions will be taken against those who violate these,’ Hukare told ANI.
The Joint Commissioner further stated that, in view of the multiple fatalities reported in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, the Maharashtra Government would implement precautionary measures. He confirmed that there were no reports of the supply of the affected cough syrups in Maharashtra.
‘Recent reports of deaths in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan due to the consumption of cough syrup have prompted the Maharashtra Government to implement precautionary measures. The Central Government has issued an advisory stating that cough syrups should not be sold without a prescription. There are no reports of the supply of those particular cough syrups in Maharashtra,’ said Hukare.
Meanwhile, in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara district, the District Chemists Association launched an indefinite strike protesting administrative action against medical shops linked to the Coldrif cough syrup case. As a result, all medical shops in the district have been closed following the Association’s call.
District President of the Association, Santosh Chaure, told ANI, ‘Our strike is indefinite and it will continue until the administration accepts our demands. If our demands are accepted now, we will reopen our shops immediately. We had met the SDM last night; he had assured us of a discussion this afternoon, but so far we have not received any call or communication. Our demand is that the action being taken by the administration against our fellow chemists is unfair. Action should be taken only against those who are actually guilty. Our chemist colleagues are not manufacturers of medicine but only sellers, so such action against them is unfair.’
Earlier, the Supreme Court agreed to hear on October 10 a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking a CBI investigation into the deaths of children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan after consuming toxic cough syrup. A bench headed by Chief Justice of India BR Gavai said it would list the matter for hearing on Friday, after advocate Vishal Tiwari mentioned it for urgent consideration.
(ANI)