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Regulator spots toxic contaminant in cough syrup tied to child deaths in MP
The Tamil Nadu State Drug Testing Laboratory detected diethylene glycol (DEG) beyond permissible limits in samples of Coldrif cough syrup—produced by Sresan Pharma, based in Tamil Nadu. This finding directly conflicts with earlier test results from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) and the Madhya Pradesh state drug regulator, which had declared the same samples free from DEG or ethylene glycol contamination.
- By Newsdesk
- New Delhi
- Oct 05, 2025
In a troubling development, authorities have confirmed that samples of a cough syrup implicated in the deaths of children in Madhya Pradesh contained dangerous levels of a toxic chemical. The discovery has reignited concerns over drug safety and regulatory oversight in India.
The Tamil Nadu State Drug Testing Laboratory detected diethylene glycol (DEG) beyond permissible limits in samples of Coldrif cough syrup—produced by Sresan Pharma, based in Tamil Nadu. This finding directly conflicts with earlier test results from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) and the Madhya Pradesh state drug regulator, which had declared the same samples free from DEG or ethylene glycol contamination.
The syrup, widely used to treat symptoms of cough and cold in children, is now suspected of causing kidney failure, which is believed to have contributed to the deaths of at least nine children in Chhindwara district over the past month.
In light of the new findings, the Madhya Pradesh government swiftly banned the sale of Coldrif syrup across the state and is also restricting the sale of other products manufactured by the same company. The state’s chief minister called the deaths “extremely tragic,” and announced a high-level inquiry into how the toxic contaminant found its way into the medicine.
A multi-disciplinary team comprising experts from the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), CDSCO, and AIIMS Nagpur is now examining all available evidence to pinpoint the cause of contamination and establish accountability.
Healthcare officials caution that this incident underscores long-standing vulnerabilities in India’s drug regulation system, especially regarding the quality and safety monitoring of over-the-counter and pediatric medications. Many of the affected cough syrups are formulated with active ingredients such as chlorpheniramine maleate, paracetamol, and phenylephrine. The tragedy has renewed calls for stricter inspection protocols, more rigorous testing by independent labs, and greater transparency in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
The case has exposed glaring anomalies in testing outcomes and shook public trust—not just in one syrup, but in the broader safety oversight of essential medicines for vulnerable populations. As investigations progress, authorities face mounting pressure to ensure that no more lives are lost to preventable lapses in drug safety.