IMA Chief convicted the arrested pediatrician, pharma company and convicts the government’s lapse in the cough syrup tragedy

Pediatrician of Madhya Pradesh Dr. After the arrest of Praveen Soni, after the death of 16 children in Chhindwara and Betul districts, he has expressed displeasure in the medical community.

Children allegedly died after consuming Coldrif Cuff Syrup, who later conducted a positive test for Dythylene Glycol (DEG), an industrial toxic chemical that causes kidney failure.

The tragedy has ruled out the apprehensions about the syrup of contaminated cough in India, reminiscent of earlier cases in Gambia, Uzbekistan and Indonesia, where the Dig-Considered syrup was linked to the child’s death.

‘Doctor not at fault, blame regulator failure’

Reacting strongly to the arrest, the President of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Dr. Dilip Bhanushali said that doctors should not be blamed for systemic failures in drug regulation.

“Why is the doctor being held responsible?” He asked. “He (Dr. Soni) prescribed a cough syrup supplied by a government hospital. It is not the duty of the doctor to test the purity of the drug supplied by the government. This responsibility is with the drug controller and the government.”

Dr. Bhanushali confirmed that the IMA has deputed a fact in Madhya Pradesh to investigate the circumstances of the incident. “If the investigation finds the doctor guilty, we will support his punishment. But you cannot arrest the doctor without a proper investigation,” he said.

The IMA chairman also questioned how Srison Pharmaceuticals, which the company had built tainted syrup, was allowed to continue operations despite previous security concerns. “The products of this company were found to be contaminated in South Africa. How were they allowed to sell medicines again?

Increasing anger among doctors

Chairman of Chhindwara Unit of IMA, Dr. Kalpana Shukla has warned that Dr. Doctors across the district can go on indefinite strike if Sony is not released.

The association has demanded a transparent inquiry to ensure that the accountability is fixed at the right parties, especially the drug manufacturer and regulatory officers responsible for drug safety check.

Before his arrest, Dr. Sony said that he followed the standard treatment protocol while treating children suffering from seasonal viral infections. “I have been prescribing medicines from this company for ten years. Doctors get seal, ready-to-use syrup. We do not decide to formulate,” he told India Today TV.

After the incident, Dr. Soni said that he had suspended infant counseling in his private clinic on the advice of health officials.

Laboratory analysis later confirmed that coldrif syrup included 48.6% DG, which is much above the permissible limit. The Madhya Pradesh government has since banned the sale and distribution of syrup and Dr. Suspension has been ordered for Sony’s alleged negligence.

A wake-up call

Dr. Bhanushali said that the tragedy should serve as a wake-up call for India’s drug regulatory system. He said, “There should be stringent laws to justify pharma companies and drug controllers. Doctors are not here to test drugs. Our duty is to treat, it is the government’s duty to ensure that drugs are safe,” he said.

As the investigation continues, this incident has once again exposed cracks in India’s drug safety inspection, and children of the price continue to pay for it.