Police in Ramnagar area here have registered a case against manufacturer and distributor of “sub-standard” cough syrup, Coldbest- PC, after investigation revealed that the medicine led to death of nine infants in the hilly town.
After the deaths, the health authorities constituted a teamand deputed it to Ramnagar on January 17 to probe the matter. The teamcollected medicine supplied to ill-fated infants.
The pharmacist was also asked to stop the sale of medicinetill completion of the investigation, an official said.
The samples were sent to the Regional Drugs TestingLaboratory at Chandigarh for tests of the suspected drug – Coldbest- PC Syrup(Batch Number: DL5201; Mfg. By: M/s Digital Vision, 176, MauzaOgli , NahanRoad, Kala Amb, Tehsil Nahan, District Sirmour, Himachal Pradesh).
“The sample did not confirm to claim as per Patent andProprietary in respect to the pH and the Assay of Phenylephrine Hydrochloride,”the findings revealed.
Quoting the findings, the official said “The sample wastested for Diethylene Glycol and found positive for the same and content of theDiethylene Glycol was 34.24% w/v…the findings make sale of drug a cognizableoffence.”
After the findings, the health officials recommendedregistration of the FIR against the manufacturer of the drug.
“In order to ensure that the culprits are booked andpunished for the breaches committed by them, an FIR (No 33 of 2020 of March 3,2020) has been registered at police station, Ramnagar in Udhampur district…,”reads the investigation report in passion of Greater Kashmir.
The investigation has established that the manufacturer ofthe drug has committed offence, cognizable under Section 16, Section 17A (e),Section 18 (a) (i) read with Section 27(a) and Section 36AC of the Drugs & CosmeticsAct, 1940 and under relevant provision of IPC, said the report.
The official said a formal complaint by the Inspector ofdrugs will also be filed before the competent court after completing theprocedure.
Meanwhile, the enforcement staff of Jammu immediately tookall the necessary steps to stop sale of Pharmaceutical preparation irrespectiveof the batch for the Product, Coldbest-PC Syrup or drops.
Similarly, a communication was sent to Deputy DrugsController, Kashmir to maintain strict vigil over the movement of suspecteddrug.
The company has been asked to stop ‘manufacturing order’,reads the report.
Meanwhile, the Himachal Pradesh authorities have suspendedlicence of the pharmaceutical company which manufactured the syrup.