Mon Oct 06 18:08:55 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
A non-profit organization, Praja Arogya Vedika (PAV), has written to the Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilisers, J.P. Nadda, raising serious concerns about the continuing presence of substandard and fake medicines in India. PAV highlights the recent deaths of 12 children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan from contaminated cough syrups as evidence of the problem’s urgency. They criticize the government’s “Ease of Doing Business” policy for weakening drug quality control due to reliance on self-certification and insufficient inspections. PAV urges the government to strengthen the regulatory framework by amending the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 to include mandatory recall mechanisms, harsher penalties, and faster prosecution for offenders. They also call for an increase in drug inspectors and testing laboratories.
**News Article:**
**Spurious Drug Fears Mount After Child Deaths, NGO Urges Govt. Action**
*Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh – October 6, 2025* – In the wake of the tragic deaths of 12 children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan linked to contaminated cough syrups, the Praja Arogya Vedika (PAV), a health advocacy group, has issued a stark warning about the prevalence of substandard and spurious medicines in India. PAV has directly appealed to Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilisers, J.P. Nadda, demanding immediate and decisive action to address the escalating crisis.
“These deaths are a clear indicator of a system failing to protect its most vulnerable citizens,” stated a PAV spokesperson. “The government’s pursuit of ‘Ease of Doing Business’ should not come at the cost of public health.”
PAV contends that the current regulatory environment, which relies heavily on self-certification by pharmaceutical manufacturers and lacks robust inspection mechanisms, has inadvertently created a breeding ground for counterfeit and substandard drugs.
In a letter to Minister Nadda, PAV outlined a series of urgent recommendations, including amendments to the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. These amendments should mandate compulsory drug recalls, impose significantly harsher penalties on manufacturers of substandard or fake medication, and expedite the prosecution of offenders.
Furthermore, PAV is calling for a substantial increase in the number of drug inspectors and testing laboratories across the country to bolster monitoring capacity and ensure that those who compromise public health are brought to justice.
“The government must prioritize the health and safety of its citizens above all else,” the spokesperson added. “We urge immediate implementation of these critical measures to prevent further tragedies and restore public trust in the pharmaceutical industry.”
This incident has once again placed the spotlight on the need for robust regulatory oversight and quality control within India’s pharmaceutical sector, raising concerns about patient safety and the effectiveness of the country’s drug supply chain.
First Piper 