New Delhi, October 5: The Ministry of Health has convened an emergency meeting at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday to address the alarming deaths of several children in Madhya Pradesh linked to contaminated cough syrup.
The high-level meeting, chaired by the Union Health Secretary, will bring together Principal Secretaries, Health Secretaries, and Drug Controllers from all States and Union Territories (UTs). It will focus on two key areas — the rational use of cough syrups and the stringent monitoring of drug quality. Officials said the session aims to reinforce national control measures and ensure the safety of pharmaceutical products, particularly over-the-counter medicines that are not recommended for children below five years of age.
14 Deaths in Madhya Pradesh Tied to Contaminated Syrup
At least 14 children in Chhindwara district, Madhya Pradesh, have died of suspected renal failure after reportedly consuming Coldrif cough syrup.
Subsequent laboratory analysis revealed the presence of 48.6% diethylene glycol (DEG) — a highly toxic industrial solvent used in antifreeze and brake fluids — in the samples tested. The chemical is known to cause acute kidney failure and death when ingested.
In response, the Madhya Pradesh government on Saturday imposed an immediate ban on the sale of Coldrif syrup and ordered a recall of all existing stocks.
Syrup Found Adulterated in Tamil Nadu Lab Tests
According to a report received by the Madhya Pradesh government from the Tamil Nadu Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the tested Coldrif sample was confirmed to be adulterated.
Following this confirmation, the state authorities also banned the sale of all products manufactured by Sresan Pharmaceuticals, based in Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu.
The Madhya Pradesh Drug Regulatory Authority is conducting parallel tests, with results awaited. Meanwhile, background testing by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) on six other medicines — including antibiotics, antipyretics, and ondansetron — consumed by the affected children showed no trace of DEG or ethylene glycol contamination.
The Union government has since directed the CDSCO to launch risk-based inspections of manufacturing facilities nationwide to detect regulatory gaps and prevent further quality lapses. The agency has also recommended strict penal action against Sresan Pharmaceuticals.
Doctor Arrested; State Crackdown Widens
Authorities in Madhya Pradesh have arrested Dr. Praveen Soni, a pediatrician in Parasia, Chhindwara, who reportedly prescribed Coldrif syrup to several children suffering from cough and seasonal fever. Dr. Soni, who also serves as a government doctor, is accused of negligence in treatment.
The state government has also filed a case against Sresan Pharmaceuticals for supplying adulterated drugs.
In Rajasthan, Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khinvsar announced the suspension of 19 medicines manufactured by Kaysan Pharma, Jaipur, after reports of adverse effects linked to Dextromethorphan HBr Syrup in Bharatpur and Sikar districts.
Two health officials — Dr. Palak Koolwal and Pharmacist Pappu Soni — were suspended for negligence, while State Drug Controller Rajaram Sharma faced disciplinary action for oversight failures.
The ministry confirmed that batch numbers KL-25/147 (Bharatpur) and KL-25/148 (Sikar) of the Dextromethorphan syrup caused severe side effects, including vomiting, dizziness, fainting, and drowsiness. Both batches have since been banned and sent for further testing.
The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) reiterated that Dextromethorphan should not be administered to children under two years old and should be used cautiously for those above five years. All states have been directed to adhere strictly to these guidelines.
Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Uttarakhand Move Swiftly
Following the tragedy, the Tamil Nadu government has banned the sale of Coldrif syrup effective October 1, pending test results. Health Department officials confirmed that inspections were carried out at the manufacturer’s facility in Sunguvarchathram, Kancheepuram district, with samples collected for laboratory analysis.
In Kerala, Health Minister Veena George confirmed the suspension of Coldrif sales, although preliminary investigations revealed that the tainted batch was not distributed in the state. The minister directed all drug inspectors to ensure complete withdrawal of the product from distributors and retail outlets as a precautionary measure.
In Uttarakhand, state authorities have launched extensive raids on pharmacies and wholesalers to collect syrup samples for laboratory testing. Health Secretary and FDA Commissioner Dr. R. Rajesh Kumar said the inspections will continue throughout the month to identify and remove any unsafe pharmaceutical products from the market.
Nationwide Alert and Regulatory Reinforcement
The Centre has taken a zero-tolerance stance toward pharmaceutical negligence, directing all states to strengthen surveillance on over-the-counter medicines and increase scrutiny of small and medium-scale manufacturers.
Officials said the Health Ministry’s immediate objective is to restore public confidence in the country’s drug safety system and ensure that the recent tragedies are not repeated.
“The government will not tolerate any compromise on the safety and quality of medicines. Those responsible will face strict action under existing laws,” a senior Health Ministry official stated.
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