Indian States Ban Cough Syrup Linked to Death of Nine Children
In a growing public health scandal, several Indian states have moved to ban a locally manufactured cough syrup after it was linked to the deaths of at least nine children, with laboratory tests confirming the presence of a highly toxic industrial chemical.
Authorities in Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu have imposed an immediate ban on Coldrif, a pediatric cough syrup produced by Sresan Pharmaceuticals, based in Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu.
The decision follows reports that nine children in Chhindwara District, Madhya Pradesh, died from kidney failure after consuming the medication.
Additional suspected cases have been reported in Rajasthan, bringing the possible death toll to at least eleven.
According to state health officials, the children developed symptoms of acute renal failure shortly after being given the syrup for mild cold and fever.
Laboratory analysis later revealed that the product contained dangerously high levels of diethylene glycol (DEG) — a toxic solvent used in antifreeze and brake fluids that can cause irreversible kidney damage and death when ingested.
A test report from the Madhya Pradesh Drug Control Department showed DEG contamination of nearly 48.6 percent in the Coldrif samples.
The Union Health Ministry has since confirmed the findings, while Tamil Nadu authorities have sealed the manufacturer’s facility and ordered a recall of all related products from the market.
Rajasthan’s state government has also launched a crackdown, suspending its drug controller and halting the sale of cough syrups containing dextromethorphan, a common ingredient in children’s medications, pending further review.
Speaking on the incident, a senior health official said, “This tragedy is completely avoidable. It points to gross lapses in manufacturing and oversight. We are taking steps to ensure such a product never reaches the market again.”
The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has now ordered a nationwide inspection of pediatric drug manufacturers and reminded doctors not to prescribe cough syrups for children under two years old. Instead, the agency advised non-pharmacological remedies such as rest, hydration, and warm fluids for minor respiratory infections.
While investigations continue, early findings suggest that the contamination may have been confined to specific batches of the product, though officials are not ruling out wider lapses in production safety.
The police have opened a case against Sresan Pharmaceuticals, and samples from other states are being re-tested for DEG and ethylene glycol (EG) traces.
This latest tragedy echoes previous incidents in which toxic cough syrups caused child deaths in countries such as Gambia and Uzbekistan, leading to international scrutiny of India’s pharmaceutical export standards.
Public health experts have urged stronger enforcement of drug quality regulations, warning that the recurring presence of DEG contamination signals systemic weaknesses in manufacturing and oversight.
As families mourn the loss of their children, the Indian government faces renewed pressure to strengthen its drug safety framework and rebuild public confidence in one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical industries.
