3 Things The cough syrup deaths, Sir Creek's significance, and Sabarimala gold case
Oct 8, 2025
Anonna Dutt, a health reporter for The Indian Express, dives into the tragic deaths of 14 children due to contaminated cough syrups, exploring toxicology and regulatory failures. Divya A, also from The Indian Express, discusses the geopolitical importance of Sir Creek, highlighting military tensions and potential resources in the disputed area with Pakistan. The conversation wraps up with a look at controversies surrounding the Sabarimala Temple, including scrutiny over idol repairs and missing valuables, raising questions about temple governance.
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Contaminated Syrups Caused Deadly Kidney Injury
- Contaminated cough syrups caused acute kidney injury and deaths among children in several states.
- Investigators detected diethylene glycol in at least one product, linking toxic solvent contamination to the fatalities.
Contaminant Likely From Solvent Supply Chain
- Diethylene glycol likely entered syrups via contaminated industrial-grade solvents sold as propylene glycol.
- Lapses in manufacturers' testing and adherence to good manufacturing practices appear to be recurring causes.
Enforce Batch Testing And Market Surveillance
- Manufacturers must test each batch and document results as per good manufacturing practices.
- Regulators should increase targeted and random market testing to catch unsafe batches earlier.