Pharma quality and controlThe deaths of children in Madhya Pradesh after consuming cough syrup is very unfortunate. Diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol are industrial solvents contaminating pharmaceutical ingredients such as glycerine. Or, suppliers compromise quality by using cheaper industrial grade materials which are injurious to health. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization and the Food and Drug administration should exercise more stringent quality control of pharma production facilities and ensure compliance with good manufacturing practices.Dr. Thomas Palocaren,Vellore, Tamil NaduIt is strange that a doctor has been held in Madhya Pradesh for prescribing the syrup. One fails to understand in what way the doctor was responsible for the contents of the syrup as he prescribed it like any other drug in the market. He is neither the manufacturer nor a quality control person. The quality of pharmaceutical products in India is the key issue.J.P. Reddy,Nalgonda, TelanganaWriting by handIn this digital age, the warmth and personal touch of handwritten letters and notes are quietly fading into oblivion. Once a cherished way to communicate, today’s generation has nothing to do with it due to the availability of social media and electronic communication. Electronic messages are robotic and non-emotional communication (‘Open page’, October 5).Rudra Beniwal,Sangaria, RajasthanPublished - October 06, 2025 12:24 am IST