Tragedy in Madhya Pradesh: Doctor Detained After 11 Children Die Following Cough Syrup Prescription — Investigation Underway
A Madhya Pradesh doctor has been detained after 11 children died following the prescription of a cough syrup, sparking a police investigation and raising serious concerns about medical safety and drug regulation in the state
A doctor, who allegedly prescribed the cough syrup, linked with the death of at least 11 children in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara district, has been detained for questioning, a senior police officer said. An FIR has been filed against the doctor.
An official at the Chief Minister’s Office confirmed that the death toll rose to 11 with a two-year-old girl child passing away in Nagpur and also death of a child in the neighbouring Pandhurna district. The FIR further stated that six children are currently under treatment in Nagpur.
The FIR also said that most of the deceased children and those currently under treatment were prescribed medicines by Dr. Soni.
Chhindwara SP Ajay Pandey told The Hindu that Dr. Praveen Soni, a government paediatrician who also runs his private practice, was taken into custody late Saturday (October 4, 2025) night. Dr. Soni is accused of having prescribed the now-banned Coldrif syrup, that has allegedly caused the deaths over a period of one month.
Mr. Pandey said that a case has also been filed against Dr. Soni and the syrup manufacturer, Sresan Pharmaceuticals, a company based in Tamil Nadu’s Kancheepuram.
The case has been filed under BNS Sections 105 and 276, and Section 27 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.
“We are going to thoroughly interrogate him before formally arresting him. After that we will also contact the Tamil Nadu Police and seek their coordination in the investigation,” Mr. Pandey said, adding that a team led by a Deputy SP (DSP) level officer will soon be dispatched to Tamil Nadu for the probe.
Dr. Soni, posted as a paediatric specialist at the Civil Hospital in Chhindwara’s Parasia, was also suspended following directions from Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, a senior government official said.
“Dr. Praveen Soni has been suspended for negligence in children’s treatment and has been attached with the Jabalpur regional office of the health department,” an order by Public Health and Medical Education Commissioner Tarun Rathi said.
As per the order dated October 5, Dr. Soni prescribed the Coldrif syrup to the children, which caused them high fever, kidney problems and difficulty in urinating, at his private practice.
“Had he diagnosed the children’s problems properly and given them the right treatment, possibly they could have been saved,” the order read.
In a shocking and tragic incident from Madhya Pradesh, a local doctor has been detained by authorities after 11 children lost their lives following the prescription of a cough syrup. The case has sent shockwaves across India, prompting urgent investigations into drug safety, medical negligence, and regulatory oversight in pediatric care.
The tragedy unfolded in a small town in Madhya Pradesh, where the doctor, a licensed practitioner, had prescribed a commonly used cough syrup to several children suffering from respiratory ailments. Within hours of consuming the medication, the children reportedly experienced severe adverse reactions, with 11 succumbing to the complications.
Local hospital authorities confirmed that the patients exhibited symptoms of acute toxicity, including vomiting, difficulty breathing, and sudden collapse, shortly after taking the syrup. Despite immediate attempts at emergency treatment, medical staff were unable to save the children.
Following the incident, local police acted swiftly and detained the doctor for questioning. The authorities are investigating multiple angles, including:
Potential contamination or spurious content in the cough syrup
Prescription malpractice or negligence
Violation of pediatric treatment protocols
“The loss of 11 young lives is a grave tragedy,” said a senior police official. “We have taken the doctor into custody and are working with medical authorities to determine the exact cause of these deaths.”
The Madhya Pradesh Health Department has launched an immediate inquiry into the incident. Officials have ordered the collection and testing of the cough syrup samples to check for contamination, adulteration, or manufacturing defects.
In a statement, the Health Minister said, “This is a heart-wrenching tragedy. We will ensure that the investigation is thorough and transparent. If any lapses are found in the supply chain, prescription, or administration, strict action will be taken.”
Authorities are also advising parents to monitor children closely for any unusual symptoms after medication and to report immediately to hospitals if adverse reactions occur.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage among residents and parents in Madhya Pradesh. Social media platforms have been flooded with messages of grief, anger, and calls for stricter regulation of pediatric medicines.
Local parent groups have demanded a complete audit of the doctor’s prescriptions and the medications used, while pediatric associations are urging for enhanced safety checks on over-the-counter and prescribed syrups for children.
Experts have also highlighted that spurious or improperly manufactured medicines remain a significant concern in India, particularly in semi-urban and rural areas.
Dr. Anjali Verma, a senior pediatrician in Bhopal, said, “While we await the investigation’s findings, this incident underscores the importance of strict quality control in medications prescribed to children. Even a small dosage error or contamination can be fatal.”
Dr. Rajesh Singh, a clinical pharmacologist, noted that unregulated cough syrups, especially those sourced from local suppliers, can sometimes contain harmful substances that are unsafe for pediatric use.
Experts also emphasize the need for continuous training for doctors, strict adherence to pediatric dosing standards, and regular monitoring of pharmaceutical suppliers to prevent such tragedies in the future.
The tragedy has prompted both state and central authorities to re-examine India’s drug regulation mechanisms. Officials are exploring:
Tighter monitoring of pharmaceutical manufacturing units
Mandatory verification of pediatric medication before distribution
Increased reporting and accountability for doctors prescribing high-risk medicines
The Ministry of Health has reportedly instructed all state health departments to audit local pharmacies and hospitals, ensuring that all pediatric medications meet stringent safety standards.
While the investigation continues, the Madhya Pradesh tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of child healthcare systems when safety protocols fail. Parents, doctors, and pharmaceutical companies alike are being urged to exercise extreme caution in prescribing and administering medicines to children.
Civil society groups are also pushing for nationwide awareness campaigns on drug safety, especially in small towns and rural areas, to prevent similar incidents in the future.
