Maharashtra Chemists Association Condemns Unfair Targeting After 20 Children Die From Contaminated Cough Syrup
Maharashtra Chemists Association Condemns Unfair Targeting After 20 Children Die From Contaminated Cough Syrup
Mumbai, October 14, 2025: The Maharashtra State Chemists & Druggists Association (MSCDA) and the All India Organisation of Chemists & Druggists (AIOCD) expressed deep concern over the deaths of 20 children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan due to contaminated cough syrup. The toxic substance, diethylene glycol (DEG), was reportedly used as an industrial-grade excipient to add sweetness to the syrup.
The associations criticized the Maharashtra FDA for taking harsh and unreasonable actions against retail chemists, who have no direct involvement in the incident. They highlighted that similar tragedies have occurred globally since 1937, with the common cause being manufacturers using industrial-grade excipients instead of pharmaceutical-grade ingredients.
MSCDA and AIOCD stressed that the responsibility for drug quality lies entirely with the manufacturer. Regulatory authorities must ensure all ingredients meet pharmacopeia standards. However, some small-scale producers cut costs by using industrial-grade components, bypassing quality checks, which leads to such unfortunate incidents.
The associations also pointed out that retail chemists are being unfairly penalized. Despite DCGI’s advisory on October 7, 2025, warning against dispensing the affected syrup, Maharashtra FDA inspections led to license suspensions and cancellations of pharmacies for minor issues, while illegal online pharmacies and large stockholders faced no action. They called these measures excessive and unjust.
MSCDA and AIOCD have urged the state government, FDA Commissioner, and DCGI to take note of the situation and ensure that future regulatory actions are fair, targeted, and focused on manufacturers rather than innocent chemists and their families.
