WHO Flags Toxic Indian Cough Syrups After Deaths of 22 Children in Madhya Pradesh

Weeks after the tragic deaths of at least 22 children in Madhya Pradesh, allegedly linked to the consumption of a contaminated cough syrup, the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning over three Indian-made syrups. The agency has urged international health authorities to remain vigilant and report if these products are detected in their countries.

At the center of the controversy is Coldrif, a cough syrup manufactured by Tamil Nadu-based Sresan Pharmaceuticals. This particular syrup was widely used in Chhindwara district, where the children—mostly under the age of five—succumbed to suspected poisoning in the village of Parasia. Lab tests revealed the presence of **diethylene glycol (DEG)** in concentrations exceeding 48%, which is nearly 500 times the permissible limit of 0.1%. DEG is a toxic chemical that has been associated with numerous mass poisoning incidents globally.

In addition to Coldrif, the WHO has identified Respifresh TR from Rednex Pharmaceuticals and ReLife from Shape Pharma as potentially dangerous. The health agency has flagged specific batches of these syrups as contaminated and asked countries to immediately report their presence if found within their borders.

In response to WHO’s inquiry, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), India’s top drug regulatory authority, confirmed that the affected syrups contained unsafe levels of DEG. However, the CDSCO assured that these products were not exported outside of India, and the United States also confirmed it had not received any shipments of the syrups.

Following the backlash and confirmation of contamination, Sresan Pharmaceuticals had its license revoked, and its owner, G. Ranganathan, was arrested. The incident triggered a larger crackdown on drug manufacturers across Tamil Nadu, with inspections ordered at several pharmaceutical facilities to ensure compliance with safety norms.

As a preventive measure, the Indian government issued an advisory to all states and union territories, cautioning against prescribing or dispensing cough syrups to children under two years of age. It further noted that such medications are generally not recommended for those under five, unless specifically advised by a medical professional.

The tragedy has sparked renewed concerns over drug safety and quality control in India’s pharmaceutical sector, as well as prompted urgent calls for stricter oversight to prevent similar incidents in the future.