Indian States Ban Contaminated Cough Syrup Following Child Mortality Cases

In a recent health alert, multiple states in India have imposed bans on a specific cough syrup after reports link it to the deaths of several young children. Since late August, at least nine children under the age of five in the states of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan have tragically passed away, with investigations revealing a direct connection to the consumption of this medication. Laboratory analyses confirmed that the syrup samples were contaminated with diethylene glycol (DEG), a highly toxic industrial solvent that can be fatal even in small quantities. The affected product, marketed under the name Coldrif Cough Syrup, was produced by Sresan Pharma, located in Tamil Nadu.

Following these findings, authorities in Madhya Pradesh announced the suspension of the syrup’s sale across the state, also extending the ban to other products from the same manufacturing company. Similar bans have been enacted in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, reflecting a broader response to ensure public safety. The Indian government has expressed concern over the situation, which echoes past scrutiny on the safety of Indian-produced cough medicines, especially after over 70 child deaths in The Gambia in 2022 were attributed to contaminated products.

Health officials emphasize the importance of stringent quality control and regulation of medicinal products, particularly those intended for children. This incident highlights ongoing challenges in pharmaceutical manufacturing and the critical need for vigilant oversight to prevent such tragic occurrences in the future.