WHO Warns Against 3 Cough Syrups in India After Children’s Deaths in Madhya Pradesh, Coldrif Among Them

Weeks after the deaths of several children in Madhya Pradesh allegedly linked to an adulterated cough syrup, the World Health Organization (WHO) has identified three such contaminated syrups in India and urged countries to report if they detect any of them within their borders.

Among the flagged medicines is Coldrif syrup — the product at the centre of recent outrage following the deaths of at least 22 children in Chhindwara district’s Parasia village. The other two are Respifresh TR from Rednex Pharmaceuticals and ReLife from Shape Pharma.

According to reports, WHO has warned that these syrups pose serious health risks and can cause severe, potentially fatal illness.

Toxic batches identified
The global health body reportedly pinpointed specific batches of the three syrups, including Coldrif manufactured by Tamil Nadu-based Sresan Pharmaceuticals, whose licence was recently revoked. Lab tests had found the presence of diethylene glycol (DEG) — a toxic chemical historically linked to mass poisoning incidents — in the Coldrif samples.

India’s response to WHO
Following the tragedy, WHO had asked Indian authorities whether Coldrif was exported to other countries. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) later informed the agency that the syrups contained DEG levels nearly 500 times above permissible limits, as per Reuters. All affected children were under the age of five.

However, Indian officials clarified that none of the contaminated medicines were exported from India, a statement the United States also confirmed.

Government crackdown
After the children’s deaths, Tamil Nadu authorities permanently revoked Sresan Pharmaceuticals’ manufacturing licence and arrested its owner, G. Ranganathan. A wider inspection of other pharmaceutical manufacturers in the state was also ordered.

Meanwhile, the Union Health Ministry issued an advisory urging states and union territories to exercise caution in prescribing cough syrups to children. It advised that such medicines should not be prescribed to children below two years of age and are generally not recommended for those under five.