Madhya Pradesh Bans Coldrif as Kids' Death Toll Rises
The Madhya Pradesh government has officially banned the sale of Coldrif cough syrup across the state following the tragic deaths of children in the Chhindwara district. The death toll has climbed to 11, with fears it may rise further as more children remain under treatment.
The ban was implemented after a laboratory test report confirmed the presence of a poisonous chemical, diethylene glycol (DEG), in the cough syrup. The report, received by the Madhya Pradesh government from the Tamil Nadu Drugs Control Department, stated that the sample tested was "found adulterated, since it contains 48.6% diethylene glycol". DEG is a toxic solvent used in industrial products like antifreeze and brake fluids and is known to cause acute kidney failure and death when ingested. The permissible limit of diethylene glycol is only 0.1%.
The affected children, primarily under the age of five, were reported to have been administered the Coldrif cough syrup. Initial reports indicate that nearly 80% of the victims were below five years old. Symptoms prior to their deaths included high fever, cold, and difficulty urinating. The deaths have been linked to suspected renal failure.
In response to the tragedy, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has announced a compensation of ₹4 lakh for the families of each of the deceased children. The state government will also bear the cost of treatment for children still under care.
The government has initiated a crackdown on Coldrif, manufactured by Tamil Nadu-based Sresan Pharmaceuticals. The Food and Drugs Administration has issued urgent instructions to all drug inspectors to seize existing stocks, prevent further sales, and draw samples from other batches for testing. The prohibition has been extended to all other medicines made by the pharmaceutical company. Raids are being conducted across Madhya Pradesh to seize the banned medicine.
The cough-syrup-linked deaths in Madhya Pradesh have triggered alarm bells across the country, prompting several states to launch probes and take precautionary measures. The Central Drug Standards Control Organisation (CDSCO) has initiated risk-based inspections of drug manufacturing units in six states: Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra. These inspections are focused on companies manufacturing cough syrups.
The Union Health Ministry has also issued an advisory stating that cough and cold medications should not be prescribed or dispensed to children below two years. The ministry added that these medications are generally not recommended for children below five years, and any use above that age should follow careful clinical evaluation with close supervision.
Meanwhile, investigations are underway to determine the full extent of the contamination and to identify any regulatory or criminal culpability. A multi-agency technical team is analyzing clinical and product samples to determine the cause and scope of the incident.
The Madhya Pradesh government has requested the Tamil Nadu government to investigate the factory in Kanchipuram where the syrup was manufactured. Tamil Nadu's drug regulator confirmed DEG contamination in samples taken directly from Sresan Pharma's manufacturing site in Kanchipuram.
The incident has sparked criticism of the Madhya Pradesh government, with opposition leaders accusing the state's deputy chief minister and health minister of providing a clean chit to the cough syrup without waiting for drug test results. Concerns have also been raised about the delay in banning the syrup, with some reports suggesting the government waited nearly a week before taking action, despite initial reports indicating potential contamination.
