A government laboratory in Bhopal has detected alarmingly high levels of diethylene glycol (DEG) in a sample of cough syrup, which has been linked to the deaths of children. The test revealed a concentration of 46.28% DEG, a toxic industrial chemical, in the syrup.

The incident has triggered swift action from authorities, with multiple states imposing bans on the implicated cough syrup and initiating investigations into the manufacturer. The cough syrup in question, named Coldrif, is manufactured by Sresan Pharma, a pharmaceutical company based in Tamil Nadu.

Diethylene glycol is a dangerous substance, typically used in industrial solvents and antifreeze. Even small amounts can be fatal if ingested, causing kidney failure, liver damage, and nervous system issues.

The deaths of at least nine children, all under the age of five, in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan since late August are suspected to be linked to the contaminated cough syrup. Following these incidents, the federal Ministry of Health and Family Welfare ordered an investigation.

The state of Madhya Pradesh took immediate action by banning the sale of Coldrif syrup throughout the state. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav stated that the ban extends to other products manufactured by Sresan Pharma. Tamil Nadu and Kerala have also banned the product. The Tamil Nadu drug regulator confirmed DEG contamination in samples taken directly from Sresan Pharma’s manufacturing site in Kanchipuram.

According to the FIR, a laboratory report from the Director of Drugs Control, Tamil Nadu, confirmed that Coldrif Syrup contained 48.6% diethylene glycol. A separate test by the government Drug Testing Laboratory in Bhopal found 46.28% of the toxic compound. Both reports declared the samples "adulterated and injurious to health".

Authorities have launched inspections of 19 drug manufacturers across six states to identify potential quality control lapses and recommend improvements to prevent similar incidents in the future.

In response to the tragedy, Madhya Pradesh police have arrested a doctor in Chhindwara, who allegedly prescribed the contaminated syrup to the children. Additionally, authorities have booked the manufacturers of Sresan Pharmaceuticals.

Concerns surrounding the safety of cough syrups manufactured in India have been growing in recent years, with reports linking their consumption to fatalities worldwide. In 2022, more than 70 children died in The Gambia, an incident also linked to contaminated cough syrups produced in India.

The incident has raised concerns about the quality control processes within the Indian pharmaceutical industry and has prompted calls for stricter regulations to prevent the recurrence of such tragedies.