Indian Cough Syrup Company Owner Arrested Over Child Deaths
The owner of Sresan Pharmaceutical Manufacturer, S Ranganathan, has been arrested in Chennai, India, in connection with the deaths of at least 17 children linked to contaminated cough syrup produced by his company. The children, all under five years old, died after consuming the syrup containing toxic diethylene glycol.
Key Details:
– Toxic Substance: Diethylene glycol was found in quantities nearly 500 times the permissible limit in the cough syrup “Coldrif”.
– Arrests and Actions: Ranganathan was arrested and will be taken to Chhindhwara in Madhya Pradesh.
– Government Response: Indian authorities have banned several cough syrups, including Coldrif, Respifresh, and RELIFE, due to contamination concerns.
– Global Concerns: The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of a “regulatory gap” in India’s screening of medicines sold domestically and internationally.