"48.6 per cent diethylene glycol found in now-banned syrup," says MP Deputy CM Rajendra Shukla on cough syrup tragedy

Rewa (Madhya Pradesh) [India], October 5 (ANI): Following 14 deaths in Chhindwara allegedly due to consuming cough syrup, Madhya Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla on Sunday said that 48.6 per cent diethylene glycol was found in the now-banned Coldrif syrup in the lab test reports.
He further said that as soon as the report came, the syrup was banned throughout the state, and the largest stock in Jabalpur was also sealed.
Speaking to ANI, the Deputy Chief Minister said, "The test reports for the three medicines that came in earlier did not find any toxic substances of this kind...The report on the syrup from the Tamil Nadu factory came late at night and the cause of deaths was revealed: 48.6 per cent diethylene glycol, a highly banned chemical. Following this, the syrup was immediately banned throughout Madhya Pradesh. The largest stockist of this syrup in Jabalpur was sealed, and it was ordered that no medicine would be sold until the report came from Tamil Nadu. As soon as the report came, it was banned throughout Madhya Pradesh..."
Shukla stated that the doctor who wrote the prescription has been arrested and an FIR has been filed against the factory that manufactured the now-banned syrup.
He said, "The doctor who wrote the prescription has been arrested and an FIR has been filed against the factory. The Central Drug Control Organisation (CDSCO) has taken serious cognisance of the matter, and any legal action that may be taken against the Tamil Nadu factory is underway. Overall, this is a very tragic incident. Innocent children have died due to this negligence. Investigation is underway."
At least 14 deaths have been reported due to the alleged consumption of a cough syrup in Madhya Pradesh's Chhindwara, said an official on Sunday.
Apart from these 14 deaths, eight children have been admitted to Chhindwara's Nagpur hospital.
Speaking to ANI, Additional District Magistrate of Chhindwara, Dhirendra Singh, stated that a drug controller team has been formed and is conducting raids at various locations in Chhindwara and nearby districts to seize the banned cough syrup.
He added that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has also been formed and is heading to Tamil Nadu for investigation in the case.
"14 deaths have been reported to us. Compensation has been approved for it, and the amount has reached their account. 8 children of Chhindwara are admitted to a hospital. A team has been constituted at the administration level to monitor them. Doctors and the Executive Magistrate are part of that team. The Drug Controller has formed a team. Raids are being conducted for the search for banned cough syrup in the Chhindwara and nearby districts, and it is being seized. SIT has also been formed, and it is heading to Tamil Nadu for investigation," ADM Dhirendra Singh said. (ANI)