A Bitter Pill: When "Blood Money" Can't Undo Loss
The news from Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, where several children have tragically lost their lives due to alleged kidney failure linked to contaminated cough syrups, weighs heavily on my mind 2 popular cough syrups banned after 12 children die in MP, Rajasthan, allegedly due to kidney failure. It's a stark reminder of the immense vulnerability of our youngest citizens and the critical responsibility we bear in ensuring their safety. The subsequent ban of 'Coldrif' cough syrup in Tamil Nadu and the Union Health Ministry's advisory against prescribing cough and cold medications to children under two years old are necessary steps, but they come after an unbearable cost Tamil Nadu bans ''Coldrif'' cough syrup after child deaths in MP, Rajasthan.
As I reflect on these heart-wrenching incidents, a familiar sense of sorrow and frustration washes over me. Years ago, I wrote about similar tragedies—the deaths of children from pesticide-infected food, or casualties from building collapses and fires, where systemic failures led to avoidable loss of life Murder Most Foul. In that piece, I observed how frequently such events occurred, to the point of being statistically predictable, and how the response often revolved around inquiries and "blood money" in the form of compensation, rather than fundamental, preventive change. "Nothing ever changes in this 'Ageless / Timeless' country!" I lamented, and today, seeing these cough syrup deaths, that sentiment echoes with a renewed, painful urgency.
This isn't just about contaminated syrups; it's about the broader challenge of ensuring medicine quality and safety. I've often spoken about the need for robust regulatory frameworks, particularly concerning the pharmaceutical sector. I remember discussing the "Draft Policy for Online Sale of Medicines" back in 2019, emphasizing that it was about getting the "Right medicine at the right price and in right time" for millions Regulating Online Pharmacies. Even earlier, in 2018, I noted how "Regulatory framework always lags behind technological innovations and is, perpetually, in the catch-up mode" when discussing delays in amending the Drugs and Cosmetics Act Stop Online Sale. These observations, made years ago in a different context, are strikingly relevant today. The core challenge remains: how do we ensure that all medicines, regardless of how they are distributed, meet the highest safety and quality standards, and that our regulatory bodies are proactive, not just reactive?
The Health Ministry's new advisory, urging caution against cough syrups for young children and promoting hydration and rest Health Ministry issues advisory on rational use of cough syrups for children, is a step in the right direction for rational use. However, it cannot replace stringent manufacturing oversight and vigorous enforcement against substandard products. My earlier writings, whether on children's health issues like malnutrition Poor diet takes toll on children or the broader failures in public safety, consistently highlight the need for systemic solutions over piecemeal reactions. It's not enough to ban a product after lives are lost; we must establish systems that prevent such tragedies from occurring in the first place.
We owe it to these children, and to every child in our nation, to move beyond merely reacting to disaster. We must implement rigorous quality control, hold accountable those who compromise public health, and ensure that our regulatory systems are agile and effective. Only then can we truly safeguard the health and future of our children.
Regards,
Hemen Parekh
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