The unfortunate cough syrup incident has raised concerns of safety across India, leading to ban, forfeiting and probes across states.
Sresan Pharmaceuticals, the Tamil Nadu-based maker of the toxic Coldrif cough syrup linked to the deaths of over 20 children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, had procured non-pharmaceutical grade propylene glycol without invoices and stored medicines in unhygienic conditions, according to a Times of India report citing state drug inspectors.
The detailed inspection by senior drug inspectors P Nithin Kumar (Kancheepuram) and R Sasikumar (Thiruvallur) found multiple violations at the company’s Kancheepuram unit. The inspectors noted that medicines were “stored under unhygienic conditions,” placed in corridors, and filled, labelled and dedusted in areas “without air handling units.”
They further recorded that the facility had “no pest control measures, no purified water generation system, or cleaning procedures in place.” Equipment was found to be “rusty, cracked and leaking,” raising concerns about possible contamination.
Also Read: WHO seeks Indian clarification over export of 'Coldrif' syrup
While four other syrups manufactured using propylene glycol were found safe, the Coldrif batch tested positive for contamination, TOI reported.
Following the inspection, Sriperumbudur drug control inspector Manimegalai issued a show-cause notice to the company, asking it to explain discrepancies in the medicine’s quality and labelling. A police team from Madhya Pradesh, where the fatalities were reported, is expected to visit the unit for further investigation.
A case has already been filed by the Madhya Pradesh government against the company’s proprietor G Ranganathan, but the Tamil Nadu health department has not yet taken action against local drug inspectors who permitted the facility to operate.
Former state drug controller M Bhaskaran told The Times of India, “If they could list so many issues after a single inspection, why was the unit allowed to function?”
Also Read: Criminal case filed against Coldrif maker following deaths off 10 children
In a statement quoted by TOI, the Tamil Nadu Directorate of Drugs Control said, “Despite October 1 and October 2 being public holidays, the inspection of the manufacturing facility began just hours after receiving MP’s request. The entire investigation was completed within two days.”
The department maintained that there were “no cases pending against” Ranganathan. However, Bhaskaran countered, saying, “That’s because no one kept track or inspected the premises.”
Ranganathan, 73, a pharmacy graduate from Madras Medical College, built his reputation in the 1980s with Pronit, a nutritional syrup that later faced licensing issues. He eventually founded Sresan Pharmaceuticals and ran operations from a 2,000 sq ft facility along the Chennai–Bengaluru highway.
TOI reported that the Kancheepuram unit has now been sealed, while the registered office in Kodambakkam remains locked. Employees were seen moving out equipment and computers late at night, and a security guard told visitors to contact Ranganathan’s lawyer, who “refused to disclose any details.”
(With inputs from TOI)
Sresan Pharmaceuticals, the Tamil Nadu-based maker of the toxic Coldrif cough syrup linked to the deaths of over 20 children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, had procured non-pharmaceutical grade propylene glycol without invoices and stored medicines in unhygienic conditions, according to a Times of India report citing state drug inspectors.
The detailed inspection by senior drug inspectors P Nithin Kumar (Kancheepuram) and R Sasikumar (Thiruvallur) found multiple violations at the company’s Kancheepuram unit. The inspectors noted that medicines were “stored under unhygienic conditions,” placed in corridors, and filled, labelled and dedusted in areas “without air handling units.”
They further recorded that the facility had “no pest control measures, no purified water generation system, or cleaning procedures in place.” Equipment was found to be “rusty, cracked and leaking,” raising concerns about possible contamination.
Also Read: WHO seeks Indian clarification over export of 'Coldrif' syrup
While four other syrups manufactured using propylene glycol were found safe, the Coldrif batch tested positive for contamination, TOI reported.
Following the inspection, Sriperumbudur drug control inspector Manimegalai issued a show-cause notice to the company, asking it to explain discrepancies in the medicine’s quality and labelling. A police team from Madhya Pradesh, where the fatalities were reported, is expected to visit the unit for further investigation.
A case has already been filed by the Madhya Pradesh government against the company’s proprietor G Ranganathan, but the Tamil Nadu health department has not yet taken action against local drug inspectors who permitted the facility to operate.
Former state drug controller M Bhaskaran told The Times of India, “If they could list so many issues after a single inspection, why was the unit allowed to function?”
Also Read: Criminal case filed against Coldrif maker following deaths off 10 children
In a statement quoted by TOI, the Tamil Nadu Directorate of Drugs Control said, “Despite October 1 and October 2 being public holidays, the inspection of the manufacturing facility began just hours after receiving MP’s request. The entire investigation was completed within two days.”
The department maintained that there were “no cases pending against” Ranganathan. However, Bhaskaran countered, saying, “That’s because no one kept track or inspected the premises.”
Ranganathan, 73, a pharmacy graduate from Madras Medical College, built his reputation in the 1980s with Pronit, a nutritional syrup that later faced licensing issues. He eventually founded Sresan Pharmaceuticals and ran operations from a 2,000 sq ft facility along the Chennai–Bengaluru highway.
TOI reported that the Kancheepuram unit has now been sealed, while the registered office in Kodambakkam remains locked. Employees were seen moving out equipment and computers late at night, and a security guard told visitors to contact Ranganathan’s lawyer, who “refused to disclose any details.”
(With inputs from TOI)
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