Pharma Firm Owner Arrested in Chennai for Alleged Violations in Cough Syrup Production

Chennai: G. Ranganathan, proprietor of Sresan Pharma, was arrested on Wednesday following an investigation into alleged regulatory violations at the company’s manufacturing facility. The firm, known for producing Coldrif cough syrup, is under scrutiny for possible breaches of pharmaceutical safety and licensing regulations. The Tamil Nadu Drugs Control Department, assisted by local police, conducted a raid on Sresan Pharma’s 2,000 sq. ft. unit located along the Chennai–Bengaluru Highway. The facility was sealed after inspection, and the company’s registered office in Kodambakkam was closed pending further inquiry.

According to the Tamil Nadu Drugs Control Department, the arrest followed a surprise inspection carried out under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. Officials stated that the facility did not comply with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) mandated under Schedule M of the Act. Inspectors reportedly found irregularities in batch production records, absence of qualified technical staff, and incomplete documentation of raw material procurement. These findings, if confirmed, constitute violations under Sections 18(a)(i) and 27(a) of the Act, which prohibit the manufacture and sale of substandard or misbranded drugs.

A senior official said samples of Coldrif syrup have been sent to the State Drug Testing Laboratory for analysis, and distribution of the product has been suspended pending results. Authorities have also initiated proceedings to cancel the company’s manufacturing licence under Rule 85 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945. A show-cause notice has been issued to Sresan Pharma.

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Legal Proceedings and Ongoing Investigation

Ranganathan was presented before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court in Egmore and remanded to 14 days of judicial custody. If the allegations are proven, he may face imprisonment of up to three years and a fine under Section 27 of the Act.

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has taken note of the case and may initiate further proceedings under the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954, if promotional materials for Coldrif syrup are found to be misleading or unapproved. Officials are also examining possible violations under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, depending on the syrup’s composition. If any Schedule H1 or Schedule X substances are detected without authorization, additional charges may follow.

Sresan Pharma, a small-scale manufacturer distributing Coldrif syrup across Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, has halted operations following the raid. Distributors and pharmacies have withdrawn the product from shelves until official test results are made public. The Tamil Nadu Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (TNPM) has issued an advisory urging members to ensure strict compliance with GMP and licensing norms, and to conduct internal audits regularly.

According to the CDSCO’s 2024 annual report, more than 1,200 pharmaceutical manufacturing units were inspected across India last year, resulting in 78 licence suspensions and 34 prosecutions for non-compliance. Authorities stated that Ranganathan’s arrest forms part of ongoing enforcement efforts to address violations in the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector.

As of October 9, 2025, the investigation remains ongoing. Officials have urged the public to report any adverse effects linked to Coldrif syrup and to avoid purchasing unverified or unlicensed medicinal products.