Thu Oct 09 03:27:06 UTC 2025: **News Article:**
**IMA Demands Release of Doctor Arrested in Contaminated Cough Syrup Case**
**New Delhi – October 9, 2025** – The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has called for the immediate release of a pediatrician arrested in Madhya Pradesh following the deaths of 20 children allegedly due to a contaminated cough syrup. The IMA has written to Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda, demanding his intervention and stressing that the primary responsibility for the tragedy lies with the manufacturer and the regulatory bodies responsible for quality control.
The cough syrup Coldrif is suspected to have caused kidney failure in the children who consumed it. In the wake of the deaths, the Madhya Pradesh government has suspended several officials and arrested Dr. Praveen Soni of Chhindwara for alleged negligence.
The IMA vehemently condemns the arrest, calling it a case of “legal illiteracy” that sends a “profoundly detrimental message to healthcare providers nationwide.” In their letter, the IMA contends that doctors prescribe medication in good faith, relying on the approvals and certifications provided by regulatory bodies. They argue that physicians have no means of detecting manufacturing flaws or hidden contaminants like Diethylene Glycol (DEG) or Ethylene Glycol (EG).
“Holding the prescribing physician culpable for an undetected defect in the drug’s formulation amounts to shifting the accountability for a failure that lies entirely outside the purview of clinical practice,” stated Dr. Dilip Bhanushali, National President of the IMA, in the letter.
The IMA further emphasized that criminalizing a doctor’s prescription in good faith could lead to “defensive medicine practices,” including reluctance to prescribe affordable generic drugs, ultimately harming patients.
The organization has also proposed five systemic reforms to ensure the quality of medicines across India:
1. Strengthening regulatory manpower and infrastructure.
2. Mandatory testing for contaminants.
3. Establishment of a robust drug recall policy.
4. Strengthening pharmacovigilance and reporting.
5. Risk-based inspections and license audits.
The IMA urges the Health Minister to order the immediate withdrawal of the case against the doctor and focus investigations on the manufacturer and regulatory bodies. They emphasize that a strong and credible regulatory system is crucial for patient safety and offer their collaboration in implementing the proposed reforms.
First Piper 