Authorities in India have banned a cough syrup after it was linked to the deaths of at least nine children under the age of five in two northern states.
Health officials revealed that the children, who were from Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, died after consuming Coldrif Cough Syrup, which was later found through laboratory analysis to contain a toxic industrial chemical.
India’s Health Ministry confirmed on Saturday that tests detected diethylene glycol (DEG) in the syrup—an ingredient commonly used in industrial products such as antifreeze and solvents. The ministry warned that even minimal exposure to DEG can result in severe poisoning or death.
“The samples were found to contain diethylene glycol beyond the permissible limit,” the ministry said in a statement.
The tainted product, manufactured by Sresan Pharma at a facility in Tamil Nadu, has since been recalled from pharmacies across several states.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced that his state had banned the sale of the syrup and other medicines produced by the same company.
“The sale of this syrup has been banned throughout Madhya Pradesh. Other products from the same manufacturer are also being withdrawn,” he said.
Following Madhya Pradesh’s decision, officials in Tamil Nadu and Kerala have also moved to prohibit the sale of Coldrif Cough Syrup, according to reports from local media outlets.
This latest incident adds to growing global concerns over the safety of some Indian-made pharmaceuticals. In 2022, more than 70 children in The Gambia reportedly died after consuming contaminated cough syrups believed to have originated from India, prompting widespread international scrutiny of the country’s drug manufacturing standards.
Health authorities have begun a nationwide investigation to determine how the toxic substance entered the medicine and whether lapses in quality control or deliberate negligence were responsible for the tragedy.
