The Madhya Pradesh High Court rejected the bail plea of a pharmacist involved in the toxic Coldrif cough syrup case, which resulted in the deaths of over 26 young children in Chhindwara district. The pharmacist, working at a medical store owned by the prescribing doctor’s wife, dispensed the harmful syrup instead of the prescribed medication without maintaining proper records.
The court emphasized the pharmacist’s responsibility for safe dispensing and public safety under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, noting his involvement in destroying evidence related to the case. The prescribed drug substitution with the contaminated cough syrup, which contained toxic levels of diethylene glycol, led to severe health consequences for the children, including acute kidney failure.
The court highlighted the collusion between the accused parties, including the pharmacist and the doctor, in profiting from the sale of the banned cough syrup. Due to the significant harm caused to public health and the strong evidence against the pharmacist, the court decided against granting bail, keeping him in custody since October 2025.
