Diethylene glycol, drug inspectors real culprit for death of infants: Telangana doctors
Diethylene glycol is defined as a colorless and odorless impurity of propylene glycol that is highly toxic and has caused poisoning epidemics since the early 20th century
By - Kaniza Garari
Hyderabad: Contamination of Coldrif Syrup with toxic substance of diethylene glycol is the reason for death of infants in Madhya Pradesh.
The syrup produced by Sresan Pharma, Tamil Nadu government has found contamination in the syrup.
What is diethylene glycol?
Diethylene glycol is defined as a colorless and odorless impurity of propylene glycol that is highly toxic and has caused poisoning epidemics since the early 20th century, making it prohibited in food and drugs due to its adverse effects on humans.
Dr arrest sparks protest
Dr Praveen Soni, doctor who prescribed the cough syrup has been arrested by the police.
Telangana pediatricians are protesting the arrest of the doctor.
Dr Sivaranjani Santosh speaking to News Meter said, "Why is the doctor arrested? The research team, company officials, drug testing officials and laboratories which certify the product as safe must be arrested. Instead the doctor who has done his duty of prescribing the medicine is being tried. This is not right. We strongly protest the action against doctor."
Pediatricians react
Making doctors the scapegoats while the real culprits are free, rue pediatricians in Telangana. A senior government pediatrician said, "
The real culprits behind toxic cough syrups are the manufacturers, licensing authorities, drug inspectors, R&D heads, and quality control officers who failed their duty. Arrest them , not the doctors who prescribed in good faith!
Accountability must start where the crime begins , in the factories, not in clinics."
Telangana follows ban
The Telangana government has also issued stop use of Coldrif Syrup from Sresan Pharma in Tamil Nadu.
History of cold syrup
Doctors state that cold syrups contamination is an issue and it has been flagged to the drug control department. There were complaints against companies manufacturing in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand in the past. A senior inspector of drug control department said, "Random testing in laboratories is a regular protocol. But there are lapses and that is the time these incidents occur. "
With the issue now in public domain, the testing of other brands of cough syrup will also be taken up randomly to check for contamination and efficacy.
