New Delhi: In a shocking revelation during the ongoing probe into the Chhindwara kidney case — in which over 15 children have died allegedly after consuming cough syrup — investigators have uncovered a nexus between doctors and pharmaceutical companies involved in manufacturing and selling substandard medicines in Madhya Pradesh.
In an on-camera statement to TV9 Network, a medical store owner in Bhopal, located opposite a government hospital, alleged that several doctors collaborate with small pharmaceutical firms to produce low-quality drugs and sell them at inflated prices for massive profits.
“Doctors can get medicines made under their own label. A drug that costs Rs 10 to make is sold for Rs 100. The MRP is set by the doctor, who keeps around 90 per cent profit. This is common among small practitioners,” the chemist claimed.
Doctors got 90% profit on cough syrup linked to deaths
He said a similar model was followed in Chhindwara, where Coldref, a local firm, reportedly made up to 90 per cent profit on the sale of a cough syrup now linked to multiple deaths.
Explaining the profit system, the chemist said medicines fall into three categories — Ethical, Generic, and PG (Private Generic). “In ethical drugs, doctors earn about 20 per cent profit, in generic ones 50–80 per cent, and in the third category up to 90 per cent,” he said.
He further alleged that approvals for such drugs are obtained through corrupt means. “Drug approvals are granted after bribes are paid. Action should be taken against senior Drug Department officials who clear these toxic medicines,” he added, blaming the government for lax oversight.
Drug department launches state-wide crackdown
The Drug Department has since launched a state-wide crackdown, raiding medical markets across Bhopal, Jabalpur, Gwalior, Ratlam, Datia, Damoh, Alirajpur, Khargone, and Singrauli. Officials have so far seized 767 bottles of substandard medicines from these districts.
Investigations revealed that two syrups — ‘Re-Life’ and ‘Respifresh-TR’ — manufactured in Gujarat and allegedly linked to the Chhindwara deaths, failed quality tests. Officials have so far seized over 100 bottles of the same syrups during raids in Bhopal’s medicine market.