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TN and MP pharma leaders mandate stricter quality control measures to retain global credibility
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Peethaambaran Kunnathoor, Chennai
October 11 , 2025
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In the wake of death of 20 children in Madhya Pradesh after consuming contaminated Coldrif cough syrup, manufactured by Tamil Nadu based company Sreesan Pharmaceuticals, industry leaders from Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh have mandated stricter quality control measures to retain global credibility.
In a rapid and unified response, senior industry leaders have stepped forward to vehemently defend the sector's long-standing reputation for quality and to mandate stringent compliance measures among their members.
Dr S V Veeramani, the past president of the Indian Drug Manufacturers Association (IDMA), and J Jayaseelan, the chairman of the TN IDMA, have jointly affirmed that the unfortunate event will in no way affect the industry's credibility. According to Dr Veeramani, this tragedy marks a deeply regrettable and unprecedented incident, being the ‘first bad incident to occur in the history of Tamil Nadu pharma industry’.
Dr Veeramani highlighted the state's historical excellence, noting that pharmaceuticals manufactured in Tamil Nadu enjoy good acceptance all over India, with the Not of Standard Quality (NSQ) rate being significantly lower compared to those of other states. He stressed the immense responsibility manufacturers bear, asserting that patient safety is the first preference and that every company must strive to retain the state's prestigious name in the national market.
Following the gruesome tragedy report, the Tamil Nadu IDMA immediately convened a meeting to assess the situation. The association has since issued a stringent advisory to its members, calling for the mandatory compliance of good manufacturing practices and a renewed focus on quality testing.
J Jayaseelan, the TN IDMA Chairman, confirmed this aggressive push for quality control in an exclusive conversation with Pharmabiz. He stated that the association has directed all members to intensify quality checks and mandated that solvents used for liquid formulations must be purchased exclusively from approved vendors.
Critically, the advisory issues a categorical warning against purchasing solvents in ‘loose quantity’, a practice that compromises quality checks and supply chain integrity. Jayaseelan urged smaller manufacturers with low volume requirements to adopt a collaborative approach, recommending they join together with other manufacturers to buy large quantities in bulk from approved sources and then distribute the material among themselves. He stressed that the credibility of the Tamil Nadu Pharma industry will endure because it is globally recognized for its quality and manufacturing capabilities.
Meanwhile, the pharmaceutical community in Madhya Pradesh has responded swiftly to the tragedy in MP and Rajasthan, which was attributed to contaminated cough syrups, an issue that has hurt the reputation and brand, ‘India as the World Pharmacy’. The M P Small Scale Drug Manufacturer's Association (MPSDMA), under the leadership of its president, Dr. Darshan Katariya, issued an advisory to its members to be vigilant and cautious when using critical solvents.
To prevent recurrence, the advisory states that the industry's focus must fundamentally shift from end-product testing to system-level assurance through robust Quality Management System. The MPSDMA has mandated that critical solvents like propylene glycol, PEG, glycerine, and Sorbitol must be procured only from approved vendors and avoid purchasing from traders. Furthermore, all manufacturers must ensure basic GMP compliance and test all solvents for the presence of contaminants like diethylene glycol (DEG) and ethylene glycol (EG), utilizing accredited laboratories if necessary.
The association also suggested that companies consider a change of product to make it PG-free (propylene glycol-free) paediatric syrups. To facilitate immediate compliance and resolution, the MPSDMA advised members to form small groups for troubleshooting and brainstorming on critical issues, assuring them that the Government of India and the State government of MP are willing to support the industry in all possible ways.
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