In a major public health tragedy in Chhindwara district, Madhya Pradesh, 11 children have died after consuming contaminated cough syrup, prompting swift action by authorities. Police arrested Dr. Praveen Soni early Sunday morning, as he had prescribed the implicated syrups to many of the victims. Children aged 7 to 12 were admitted to hospitals with symptoms including fever, vomiting, and acute kidney failure. Preliminary investigations have identified brands such as ColdRif and Nestro-DS as responsible for the fatalities.
Toxicology reports confirmed the presence of diethylene glycol, a poisonous chemical, in the syrups, which led to kidney failure in the affected children. Following the discovery, the Chhindwara district collector immediately imposed a ban on the sale of these cough syrups. Authorities are conducting a comprehensive investigation under the supervision of the Central Drugs Controller General, including collecting and testing samples from the manufacturing unit in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu.
Dr. Soni remains in police custody and is being interrogated in connection with the case. The government has pledged strict action against all parties responsible and cautioned parents against administering cough syrups to children without medical guidance. The incident has raised nationwide concern and underscored the urgent need for tighter pharmaceutical regulation and monitoring.
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