Toxic Coldrip Syrup Case: Pharma Company Owner G. Ranganathan Arrested

G. Ranganathan, the accused pharma company owner, has been arrested by Madhya Pradesh police for his toxic Coldrip. Till now, he had been absconding after the death of children who consumed his adulterated cough syrup. He was arrested at his Kodambakkam residence. After his arrest, the authorities sealed his manufacturing unit and emptied his office space.

Rise & Fall of G. Ranganathan: The Journey Of Once-Reputed Pharma Figure

Ranganathan is the owner of Sresan Pharmaceutical, a Chennai-based company. He had been a reputed name in the pharmaceutical industry for more than four decades. Known as the man behind Pronit, a nutritional syrup that once dominated the local market, Ranganathan did his graduation in Pharmacy from Madras Medical College. 

During the 1980s, he personally approached paediatricians, and explained the merits of Pronit syrup for pregnant women. Very soon, his product gained immense popularity and was branded as a nutritional food supplement. But its rise was cut short by the drug control department. They doubted the ingredients in its making, flagged its composition and demanded government approval.

To regularise the product, Ranganathan had no other choice but to obtain a licence. After that, many new similar products entered in the market. The hardcore competition prompted him to switch to liquid nasal products.

According to MN Sridhar, a retired drug control officer, his business grew into small manufacturing units across Chennai. In the later years, Ranganathan headed Sresan Pharmaceuticals and had close ties with Ceego Labs. 

At the same time, his close associates ran Iven Healthcare. This resulted in setting his foothold in the pharmaceutical market. A Chennai-based drug manufacturer stated that Ranganathan also taught young entrepreneurs, guided graduates, and made his presence through conferences and meetings.

With the recent death caused by his adulterated cough syrup ‘Coldrif’, it has put a blot on his professional career. His disappearance before arrest is in contrast to the well-built reputation that he once had. The premises of his registered office in Kodambakkam, which were once occupied by visitors, have been left empty since last week.