NEW DELHI: Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) on Wednesday demanded the immediate release of the doctor arrested in cough syrup deaths in Madhya Pradesh. It asked for an inquiry into the case that upheld “dignity and accountability of medical professionals while ensuring justice for the victims.,“Ensure that registered doctors are not wrongfully blamed or harassed until the investigation is completed and the actual cause of the incident is scientifically established. The doctor who has been arrested should be released from custody immediately, and any disciplinary or legal action should be considered only after the investigation is completed thoroughly with representation from recognized medical bodies such as FAIMA and IMA. The inquiry must be conducted in a manner that upholds the dignity and accountability of medical professionals while ensuring justice for the victims,” it said in a statement.It also suggested a list of measures to the Union health ministry to avoid any such future incidents. The suggestions include the constitution of a central committee under the ministry with “qualified medical experts, pharmacologists, and representatives from different states.” The committee would conduct a “detailed and impartial inquiry into the incident, including all stages of manufacturing, quality testing, and distribution.,It further recommended “nationwide inspections and random testing of pediatric medicines and syrups to verify compliance with established quality standards.”“Strengthen coordination between State Drug Control Authorities and the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) for uniform enforcement and surveillance,” it said.“Strictly regulate quack practices and the sale of non-OTC drugs without prescription by pharmacies through stricter enforcement and monitoring,” it added.This comes a day after the Indian Medical Association condemned the doctor’s arrest saying that the “prescribing doctor has no way of knowing whether a medicine is contaminated until adverse outcomes are reported.”At least 20 children in Madhya Pradesh have died so far from kidney failure after consuming the contaminated cough syrup ‘Coldrif.’ Praveen Soni from Chhindwara was arrested for alleged negligence, and a probe was launched against the Tamil Nadu-based pharmaceutical firm.
