Overview: A Crisis Ties a Chennai Firm to Tragic Deaths
The ongoing medical tragedy surrounding the Coldrif cough syrup has intensified with the arrest of G Ranganathan, the Chennai-based owner of Sresan Pharmaceuticals. A seven-member team from Madhya Pradesh police arrested Ranganathan as part of the investigation into the toxic cough syrup that has been linked to 21 fatalities. The state government’s response has been swift, including a ban on Coldrif and a halt on all products manufactured by Sresan Pharmaceuticals.
Who is G Ranganathan?
Ranganathan, 73, is a veteran figure in the Indian pharmaceutical sector. A pharmacy graduate from Madras Medical College, he built a career spanning more than four decades. He initially gained recognition for Pronit, a nutritional syrup widely used in Chennai, and later expanded into liquid nasal products. His business activities eventually led him to head Sresan Pharmaceuticals and maintain ties with Ceego Labs, while associates managed Iven Healthcare. Industry observers note his willingness to mentor younger entrepreneurs and stay actively involved in professional circles until recent times.
Shifting Image Versus Recent Developments
Publicly, Ranganathan has been known for his mentorship and steady growth in the pharmaceutical landscape. However, the new allegations paint a starkly different picture. Authorities accuse him of overseeing a manufacturing operation that produced a toxic product later deemed Not of Standard Quality, with deadly consequences across multiple states.
The Coldrif Case: From Lab Findings to Public Health Action
The crisis began to unfold after laboratory tests in Tamil Nadu confirmed troubling adulterants in Coldrif cough syrup. The Director of Drugs Control, Tamil Nadu, submitted a report to the Madhya Pradesh government stating that Coldrif batch SR-13 (manufactured May 2025, expiring April 2027) was not of standard quality and contained 48.6% diethylene glycol. This chemical, commonly used in antifreeze, poses severe risks including acute kidney failure and death when ingested by children, who represented the majority of the victims.
Administrative and Legal Fallout
In response to the findings, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav ordered an immediate ban on Coldrif across the state, followed by extending the ban to all products manufactured by Sresan Pharmaceuticals. The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) issued directives to seize existing stocks, halt sales, and collect samples from other batches. Inspectors were told to freeze all Coldrif syrups and ensure no stock remained in markets or distribution networks. The order also encompassed a broader halt on Sresan-manufactured products and the collection of legal samples for laboratory testing.
Timeline: Events Leading to the Arrest
Authorities traced the outbreak’s origins to Parasia and surrounding villages in Chhindwara, where several young children suffered sudden kidney failures after treatment for mild fever and cough. While initial investigations prompted local brand bans as a precaution, Tamil Nadu’s lab results established Coldrif as the source of poisoning. The subsequent linkage to Sresan Pharmaceuticals, a Tamil Nadu-based manufacturer with operations spanning multiple units, set in motion the actions culminating in the arrest of Ranganathan and the seizure of his manufacturing facility near the Chennai-Bengaluru highway.
What Happens Next?
As the investigation proceeds, authorities will focus on tracing the supply chain, batch-specific testing, and possible compliance failures at Sresan Pharmaceuticals. Legal experts warn that if negligence or deliberate adulteration is proven, significant penalties await the company and its leadership, potentially including enhanced regulatory oversight, criminal charges, and civil liability for victims’ families. The case raises pressing questions about drug safety oversight, supplier accountability, and the effectiveness of inter-state cooperation in policing hazardous pharmaceutical products.
Public Health and Industry Implications
Public health officials emphasize the need for robust quality controls, transparent reporting, and rapid response mechanisms when adulterated medicines surface. The Coldrif episode underscores the vital role of state drug control departments, cross-border collaboration, and decisive regulatory action in safeguarding children and vulnerable populations. For the broader pharmaceutical industry, the incident serves as a sobering reminder that even established players must adhere to stringent standards to protect consumer trust and ensure safety across all products—from nutritional syrups to adult formulations.
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