Tamil Nadu Government Blames AIADMK for Drug Testing Failures Following Deadly Cough Syrup Tragedy

Chennai:

The Tamil Nadu government led by DMK has attributed the drug testing deficiencies highlighted by central auditors to the previous AIADMK administration. These findings were detailed in a 2024 Comptroller and Auditor General of India report that has gained renewed attention following the tragic deaths of 23 children linked to Coldrif cough syrup manufactured by a Tamil Nadu-based pharmaceutical company.

The CAG report, presented on December 10, 2024, exposed concerning gaps in drug safety monitoring across Tamil Nadu. Auditors discovered that the state's drug control department significantly underperformed in meeting inspection and sample collection targets. Health experts suggest these oversight failures may have contributed to inadequate monitoring of manufacturers like Sresan, the company behind Coldrif.

Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian emphasized that these monitoring failures occurred between 2016 and 2021 during the AIADMK government headed by Edappadi Palaniswami. "EPS ought to respond to these failures," stated the minister.

The CAG findings revealed that in 2016-17, Tamil Nadu conducted only 66,331 drug inspections against a requirement of 100,800, representing a 34% shortfall. By 2020-21, amid the pandemic, the deficit widened to 38%, with just 62,358 inspections completed against identical targets. Drug sample collection showed similar deficiencies, with shortfalls reaching 54% in certain years.

Despite these recurring warning signs, successive governments failed to implement substantial corrective measures.

P Senthilkumar, Tamil Nadu Health Secretary, informed NDTV that the state drug control department had conducted periodic inspections at Sresan's facility in 2021 and 2022, resulting in penalties being imposed.

Following the tragedy, authorities shut down the manufacturing plant and arrested its owner. Madhya Pradesh police have charged the owner with adulteration and culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

The Tamil Nadu administration has also suspended two senior drug inspectors for failing to conduct required periodic inspections.

"There were lapses over the last two years, and action was taken. Intensive inspections have been ordered at other manufacturing units. Around 300 violations were found at the Sresan facility, and criminal action has been initiated," Senthilkumar explained.

He countered claims of inspector shortages, noting that 90 new drug inspectors had been recently recruited to enhance regulatory oversight.

State officials also directed criticism toward central drug inspectors for allegedly failing to conduct mandatory inspections at the Sresan facility every three years as required by national drug safety regulations.

While the state government responded quickly after the tragedy came to light, questions persist about why the systemic deficiencies identified by the CAG weren't addressed earlier by either state or central regulatory bodies.

Public health specialists note that these issues extend beyond Tamil Nadu. CAG audits in Rajasthan, for instance, reveal even greater deficits in inspections and sample collection, indicating a nationwide failure in enforcing fundamental drug safety protocols.

As families in Madhya Pradesh continue mourning their children and seeking accountability, Tamil Nadu's audit revelations highlight how regulatory failures at multiple levels may have contributed to one of India's most devastating pharmaceutical disasters in recent times.