Sresan pharma faces permanent shutdown over toxic cough syrup tragedy

CHENNAI: State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Ma Subramanian on Thursday announced that the State government would permanently shut down Sresan Pharmaceuticals, following the deaths of 20 children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan after consuming the company’s toxic cough syrup, Coldrif.

Speaking to reporters in Saidapet here, the Minister said that soon after the deaths were reported on October 1, the Madhya Pradesh health authorities informed Tamil Nadu, as the manufacturing unit was located in the State. “We immediately tested the sample and found the presence of a poisonous chemical. The findings were shared with the governments of Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Puducherry, and the Union Health Ministry. However, both the Madhya Pradesh and Union governments initially dismissed the contamination claims,” he said.

“Despite their denial, we confirmed the presence of diethylene glycol, a banned toxic compound that should never exceed even one per cent in formulation. Shockingly, the syrup contained 48 per cent. Hence, on October 3, we ordered the immediate suspension of production,” he added.

Ma Subramanian said criminal proceedings had been initiated against the company. “We issued a criminal notice to the owner on October 7. As he was unavailable, the notice was pasted at the factory. He has since been arrested and will be interrogated about the source and extent of contamination. Based on his statement, a decision on permanently sealing the factory will be taken within two to three days,” he said.

The Minister confirmed that two Drug Inspectors were suspended for failing to conduct quality checks over the past two years. He also clarified that the State government and private hospitals had been instructed not to procure any products from Sresan.

Investigations by the Tamil Nadu Drug Control department found over 350 violations in the plant’s operations, including poor hygiene, corroded equipment, and lack of ventilation and qualified staff. A 26-page report submitted to the Centre detailed these violations, classifying them as “severe and critical.”

The report also noted that the banned chemical, diethylene glycol, commonly used in paints and brake oils, was found in dangerously high concentration levels, rendering the syrup “poisonous rather than medicinal.”

The factory’s owner, Ranganathan (75), was arrested early Thursday by Madhya Pradesh police with the assistance of Tamil Nadu authorities. He will be produced before a court and taken to the Sriperumbudur unit for further inquiry. Meanwhile, two senior quality control officers from the Tamil Nadu Drug Control department have been suspended for dereliction of duty.

Officials confirmed that production at Sresan Pharma remains halted, and the company’s manufacturing licence will be cancelled if no satisfactory explanation is submitted by October 12. If found guilty, the accused could face up to 10 years of imprisonment and a Rs 10 lakh fine, officials said.