Nagpur (Maharashtra) [India], October 9 : Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Thursday said that the Tamil Nadu government was not cooperating as it should in relation to the Coldrif cough syrup tragedy.
A Tamil Nadu-based Sresan pharmaceuticals company is the manufacturer of Coldrif cough syrup which is linked to death of 20 children in Madhya Pradesh.
"In Madhya Pradesh, children's kidneys were damaged, and some died after consuming cough syrup made in Tamil Nadu. Our police went to the location where the medicine was produced and arrested the pharma owner, but the Tamil Nadu government is not cooperating as it should. The drug controller of Tamil Nadu should thoroughly investigate the non-standard medicine found there and submit a detailed report," CM Yadav told reporters.
"It is true that wherever the pharmaceutical companies are located, the ultimate responsibility for medicines lies with them. Nonetheless, we still took a random sample from our location. If any errors occurred, then we removed the controller, suspended some officials and took action against other concerned persons, including doctors," he added.
The chief minister highlighted that they expressed their full concern to the entire matter not only from a humanitarian perspective but also from the governmental and administrative viewpoint.
"I believe that wherever such companies manufacture medicines, the state governments there should take strict action against them and carry out proper proceedings," he added.
Additionally, the CM urged the Congress party to stage a sit-in in Tamil Nadu and should question how the licence of the pharma company was renewed.
"I would also like to tell my Congress colleagues who are speaking on this issue to go to Tamil Nadu and stage a sit-in there and ask how that pharma company was granted a drug license and how it was renewed. Also, how a factory was established in such a small place," the CM said.
CM Mohan Yadav also visited AIIMS Nagpur and met with victims undergoing treatment who fell ill after consuming cough syrup.
"Today, I have come to meet the sick children who were admitted after drinking poisonous cough syrup. The Nagpur administration is also worried, the doctors of AIIMS are also worried. All of us are trying in every way to ensure that no one faces any problem. We are doing the best we can. I said that if anyone needs anything, please let us know. We hope these people recover soon. All the arrangements are covered by the state government," he added.
Earlier today, Chhindwara Superintendent of Police (SP) Ajay Pandey said that the owner of the Tamil Nadu-based Sresan pharmaceuticals company was arrested and he would be brought to Chhindwara after completing the formalities in Chennai.
"The SIT that left from Chhindwara has arrested Sresan Pharma owner Ranganathan. He was rounded up late at night and then arrested. As part of the procedure, his medical examination will be done and other proceedings will be undertaken in Chennai. Then after he will be brought to Chhindwara," Pandey told ANI.