MP’s ₹10,000 crore pharma market under lens:Only 79 Drug inspectors monitor 60,000 stores; 3 active for drug samples testing labs statewide, with only Bhopal’s fully functional

Madhya Pradesh’s pharmaceutical market, valued at approximately Rs 10,000 crore, has been growing steadily at a rate of 5.7 percent annually, translating to around Rs 600 crore every year. Despite such a large market, the state’s drug monitoring system remains critically understaffed. Currently, only 79 drug inspectors (DI) are responsible for overseeing over 60,000 medical stores across Madhya Pradesh, while drug sample testing is limited to just three active laboratories, with only the Bhopal lab being fully functional. This weak regulatory framework has allowed toxic cough syrups such as Coldrif, ReLife, and Respifres TR to circulate unchecked in the market. The consequences have been tragic. These syrups have already claimed the lives of 23 children in districts including Chhindwara, Betul, Nagpur, and Pandhurna. Over 60,000 medical stores across the state According to Jitendra Ghakhar, President of the Chemist Association, Bhopal alone has over 3,500 active medical stores, while the total number of medical stores across Madhya Pradesh exceeds 60,000. The inspection and monitoring system is especially weak in smaller pharmaceutical companies. Regular inspections are conducted mainly in Bhopal, which is why similar incidents have not occurred in the city. Smaller companies in other districts are often left unchecked, giving rise to the sale of substandard or toxic medicines. The drug testing process Currently, Madhya Pradesh has 96 approved drug inspector positions, but only 79 are filled. Drug inspectors are required to send a minimum of five samples for testing each month. This lengthy process delays urgent action, allowing unsafe medicines to remain in circulation for extended periods. New emergency SOP to fast-track testing In light of the recent toxic syrup deaths, Drug Controller Dinesh Shrivastava announced a new protocol to speed up testing. Under the updated SOP: The state is also increasing the frequency of random sampling across districts to prevent the sale of substandard drugs in the future. Latest cough syrup samples from Chhindwara Initially, 19 cough syrup samples were collected from Chhindwara for testing. Recently, an additional 3 samples were collected, bringing the total to 21 syrups under investigation. The presence of diethylene glycol, a toxic chemical, has been directly linked to the deaths of children in the affected districts. India’s pharmaceutical market at a glance According to a 2025 report by pharmaceutical market analysis firm Acquient, India’s pharmaceutical market is valued at Rs 2,30,867 crore, growing at an annual rate of 7.4%. Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh together contribute Rs 10,767 crore. The rapid growth and entry of new companies into the pharmaceutical market have increased competition. In the race to produce cheaper drugs, smaller companies often compromise on quality, as seen in the recent tragedy in Chhindwara, where children died after consuming toxic cough syrup. Central agencies join the investigation Along with the state labs in Bhopal, Jabalpur, and Indore, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) is conducting a thorough inspection of pharmaceutical products in Madhya Pradesh. With these measures, Madhya Pradesh aims to strengthen its regulatory system, reduce the risk of unsafe medicines entering the market, and prevent further tragedies among children. ​