Centre orders licence cancellations after cough syrup deaths

The Union Health Ministry on Sunday convened a high-level meeting with all States and Union Territories in the wake of nationwide outrage over the deaths of 11 children in Madhya Pradesh's Chhindwara district, allegedly after consuming Coldrif cough syrup.

- MANOHAR KESARI/AGENCIES

The Ministry directed that manufacturing licences of pharmaceutical companies found violating the revised Schedule M drug quality norms would be cancelled immediately.

The emergency meeting, chaired by Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava, was held to assess compliance with manufacturing standards, promote rational use of paediatric cough syrups, and strengthen retail pharmacy regulation. The review followed the directive of Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda, who earlier asked states to ensure accountability and adherence to good manufacturing practices (GMP).

Among those present were Amit Agarwal, Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals; Dr Rajiv Bahl, DG-ICMR and Secretary, Department of Health Research; Dr Sunita Sharma, DGHS; Dr Rajeev Raghuvanshi, DCGI; Dr Ranjan Das, Director, NCDC; and senior health and drug control officials from all states and Union Territories.

The meeting followed widespread protests across Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and other states as opposition parties blamed government negligence for the tragedy. In Bhopal, Congress workers held demonstrations demanding the resignation of Deputy Chief Minister and Health Minister Rajendra Shukla, carrying banners that read "Rajendra Shukla sharam karo, istefaa do" and "Masoom bachchon ki maut ke saudagar zimmedari lo."

In Jaipur, Congress workers raised slogans such as "Nakli dawa band karo, doshiyon ke khilaaf karwayi karo, BJP sarkaar jawaab do," accusing the BJP-led state government of shielding drug manufacturers. Senior Congress leader Pratap Singh Khachariyawas said, "Poison in the name of medicine will not be tolerated," demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar.