Doctors in Madhya Pradesh (MP) are strongly protesting the arrest of Dr. Praveen Soni, a pediatrician implicated in the tragic cough syrup deaths case. Thousands of government doctors across the state tied black ribbons as a sign of protest on Friday. They accuse authorities of making Dr. Soni a scapegoat for the deaths of 22 children linked to contaminated ‘Coldrif’ cough syrup, which contained a poisonous industrial solvent. Instead, the medical community demands action against the true perpetrators.
Widespread Doctor Protest Against Arrest
Medical personnel from various doctors’ associations in Madhya Pradesh participated in the peaceful demonstration. These groups included the Progressive Medical Teachers Association of MP (PMTAMP), the Medical Officers Association, the Association of Medical Offices Medical Education, and others. Around 8,500 doctors working in government facilities across MP joined the protest. They also observed a two-minute silence for the deceased children.
Dr. Rakesh Malviya, PMTAMP president, along with general secretary Dr. Ashok Thakur, explained Dr. Soni’s prescribing practices. He prescribed Coldrif syrup due to its affordability for poor people in tribal areas, costing about Rs 30 per bottle. The doctors highlighted that this syrup had been prescribed in MP for over 30 years.
Contaminated Syrup and Regulatory Lapses
The core issue revolves around Coldrif syrup, which was found to contain 48.6 percent diethylene glycol, a highly poisonous compound. Laboratory tests in Chennai declared it “Not of Standard Quality” (NSQ). This toxic chemical, an industrial solvent, can cause kidney failure and death. Consequently, the Madhya Pradesh government banned the syrup’s sale across the state last Saturday.
Doctors question the role of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Dr. Malviya and Dr. Thakur claimed authorities should have checked the syrup before its supply and sale. They emphasize that instead of prosecuting a doctor, stern action should target those appointed to check and test such poisonous substances.
Legal Concerns and Demands Amidst Cough Syrup Deaths
The doctors assert that Dr. Soni’s arrest is illegal. They cite the Supreme Court’s ruling in the Jacob Mathew versus the State of Punjab case, which mandates an inquiry before registering a criminal case against a doctor. His arrest at 2:30 AM on Sunday, without such an inquiry, reportedly amounts to contempt of the apex court.
Furthermore, medical professionals are advocating for capital punishment for manufacturers of toxic drugs, arguing that they play with children’s lives. They believe corruption in drug supply must not be tolerated. They seek a fair probe into the deaths, asserting that Dr. Soni was not involved in manufacturing or distributing the adulterated syrup. This situation could erode public trust in doctors and demoralize those working in remote areas.
G. Ranganathan, owner of Sresan Pharma, the company that manufactured Coldrif, was arrested by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) from Madhya Pradesh on October 9. A court remanded him in 10-day police custody on Friday.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Why are doctors protesting Dr. Praveen Soni’s arrest?
Doctors are protesting because they believe Dr. Soni is being unfairly blamed for the deaths caused by contaminated cough syrup. They argue his arrest is illegal, violating a Supreme Court ruling, and that the real culprits are the manufacturers and those responsible for drug quality control.
Q2: What was the cause of the children’s deaths?
The deaths of 22 children were linked to ‘Coldrif’ cough syrup, which was found to contain 48.6% diethylene glycol. This highly poisonous industrial solvent caused kidney failure in the children.
Q3: What actions are doctors demanding regarding this incident?
Doctors are demanding that the arrest of Dr. Soni be declared illegal and that he be released. They also seek stern action, including capital punishment, against manufacturers of adulterated drugs and a fair probe into systemic failures by drug testing and regulatory authorities.
References
- Doctors in MP register protest against ‘illegal’ arrest of Dr Soni in coughsyrup deaths case – ETHealthworld
- Been prescribing Coldrif for 10 years: Doctor arrested in cough syrup deaths case – India Today
- Madhya Pradesh Bans Coldrif Cough Syrup Following Children’s Deaths from Kidney Failure – Newsonair
- Coldrif cough syrup found containing 48.6% ‘diethylene glycol’ in Tamil Nadu, far exceeding safety limits – India TV News
- Madhya Pradesh cough syrup death toll touches 22; CM Mohan Yadav faults Tamil Nadu officials – The Hindu
- Police arrest owner of drug company linked to deaths of 21 children in India – CBS News
- Coldrif syrup deaths: MP doctor arrested, SIT to exhume child’s body for evidence
- ‘Lives could have been saved’: Dr Praveen Soni suspended in cough syrup case that killed 11 children; officials cite ‘irreparable harm’ | Bhopal News – The Times of India
- IMA stands with arrested doctor, questions clean chit to pharma company after Coldrif-linked deaths – The Financial Express
- Cough syrup deaths: SC rejects PIL seeking CBI probe, drug safety review; toll at 21 in MP
- What is diethylene glycol, the toxic solvent found in cough syrups that killed kids in India
- Cough Syrup Deaths in India: Understanding the Contamination Crisis and Regulatory Response – Vision IAS
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