In Public Interest: Inside India’s Pharma Negligence | Sukumar interview

Sresan Pharmaceuticals, the manufacturer of the Coldrif cough syrup located in Tamil Nadu’s Kancheepuram district, was found to have flouted safety norms for over 14 years. The end result was the death of 25 children in Madhya Pradesh, one of India’s worst medical tragedies in recent years.

Sresan used non-pharma-grade Propylene Glycol, a chemical unfit for human consumption, in the production of Coldrif. Tests revealed the presence of diethylene glycol, a poisonous substance used in brake fluid and antifreeze, was known to cause acute kidney failure, especially in children.

In this week’s In Public Interest, TNM’s Shabbir Ahmed speaks to Sukumar, former Vice-President of the Federation of Medical and Sales Representatives’ Associations of India (FMRAI), to understand how the lapse occurred, how medical officials are favoured, and how it affects people’s lives.