FDA seizes Rednex Pharma stock in Pune after 20 deaths linked to cough syrup

The Food and Drug Administration FDA Pune seized stock from Rednex Pharma worth Rs 13 lakhs following the deaths of 20 children due to cough syrup in Madhya Pradesh reported news agency ANIGirish Hukare the Joint Commissioner for Drugs at FDA Pune stated that the Gujarat Government reported high levels of diethylene glycol in products from Rednex Pharmaceutical and Shape Pharma Additionally a drive has been initiated to inspect local manufacturersGujarat governments samples revealed high levels of diethylene glycol in products from Rednex Pharmaceutical and Shape Pharma In Pune we have seized the stock of Rednex Pharma worth Rs 13 lakhs Additionally a drive has been initiated to inspect local manufacturers to ensure compliance with standards with surprise visits planned Legal actions will be taken against those who violate these Hukare told ANIThe Joint Commissioner also noted that due to multiple fatalities reported in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan the Maharashtra government will implement precautionary measures He confirmed that there have been no reports of the supply of those specific cough syrups in MaharashtraRecent reports of deaths in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan due to the consumption of cough syrup have prompted the Maharashtra government to implement precautionary measures The central government has issued an advisory stating that cough syrups should not be sold without a prescription There are no reports of the supply of those particular cough syrups in Maharashtra said Hukare reported ANIMeanwhile the District Chemists Association in Madhya Pradeshs Chhindwara district launched an indefinite strike to protest over administrative action against medical shops in the district linked to the Coldrif cough syrup case Hence all medical shops in the district have closed following a call by the District Chemists AssociationDistrict president of the Association Santosh Chaure told ANI Our strike is indefinite and it will continue until the administration accepts our demands If our demands are accepted now we will reopen our shops immediately We had met the SDM last night he had assured us of a discussion this afternoon but so far we have not received any call or communication Our demand is that the action being taken by the administration against our fellow chemists is unfair Action should be taken only against those who are actually guilty Our chemist colleagues are not manufacturers of medicine but only sellers so such action against them is unfairEarlier the Supreme Court agreed to hear on October 10 a PIL seeking a CBI investigation into the death of children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan after consumption of toxic cough syrup A bench headed by Chief Justice of India BR Gavai said it would post the matter for hearing on Friday after advocate Vishal Tiwari mentioned it for urgent hearingWith inputs from ANI