A seven-member investigation team from Madhya Pradesh has arrested G. Ranganathan, the owner of Sresan Pharmaceuticals, based in Chennai. This action follows allegations that his company manufactured the Coldrif cough syrup, which has been linked to 21 fatalities in Madhya Pradesh. Ranganathan, a 73-year-old pharmacy graduate from Madras Medical College, boasts a career spanning over four decades, initially garnering acclaim for Pronit, a nutritional syrup for pregnant women. He actively promoted Pronit to pediatricians in the early 1980s, but regulatory issues arose when the state drug control department flagged some of its ingredients for requiring government approval. Ranganathan responded by securing the necessary licenses and subsequently expanded his product line, venturing into liquid nasal products and establishing several manufacturing units in the Chennai area.
Despite his extensive industry experience and reputation for mentoring budding entrepreneurs, Ranganathan’s recent arrest is a stark contrast to the image he has cultivated. His 2,000-square-foot manufacturing facility along the Chennai-Bengaluru highway has been sealed, and the previously active office in Kodambakkam is now locked and deserted. Local sources reported that employees hastily removed equipment and computers late last week, suggesting a sudden and significant operational disruption.
The controversy began to unfold in late August when numerous children from Parasia and nearby villages in Chhindwara developed acute kidney failure after receiving treatment for mild ailments. The victims, predominantly under the age of five, raised alarm bells that led to an investigation. Initial measures included the suspension of two local brands; however, subsequent laboratory tests in Tamil Nadu pointed to Coldrif syrup, manufactured over 1,000 kilometers away, as the source of the poisoning.
Laboratory analyses revealed that Coldrif contained diethylene glycol, a toxic substance commonly found in antifreeze and brake fluids, accounting for 48.6% of its composition. This prompted Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav to impose an immediate ban on the sale, distribution, and stock of Coldrif syrup throughout the state. The ban was extended to all products produced by Sresan Pharmaceuticals. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) acted swiftly, instructing drug inspectors to seize existing stock, halt further sales, and collect samples for testing.
In a report submitted to the Madhya Pradesh government on October 4, the Director of Drugs Control in Tamil Nadu declared Coldrif syrup (Batch No. SR-13, manufactured in May 2025 and set to expire in April 2027) to be “Not of Standard Quality” and clearly adulterated. Following these findings, all Coldrif products were deemed unsafe for public distribution. As the investigation proceeds, authorities are determined to uncover the full extent of the situation surrounding Sresan Pharmaceuticals and the impact of the contaminated cough syrup.
As this case unfolds, the community remains shaken, questioning the safety and regulation of pharmaceutical products. The swift action taken by government officials underlines the urgent need for stringent oversight in the industry to prevent similar tragedies in the future. This series of events serves as a critical reminder of the potential consequences of lax regulatory compliance and the imperative for greater accountability within pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Keywords: Sresan Pharmaceuticals, G. Ranganathan, Coldrif cough syrup, Madhya Pradesh, safety regulations, pharmaceutical industry, diethylene glycol, children’s health.
Original Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/cough-syrup-row-owner-of-pharma-company-that-supplied-poisonous-coldrif-arrested-mp-toll-rises-to-21/articleshow/124402535.cms
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Publish Date: 2025-10-09 07:37:00
