Indian health authorities are investigating whether a contaminated batch of cough syrup caused the deaths of at least nine children under five in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan since late August.
The investigation began after a specific cough syrup, Coldrif, was found to contain dangerous amounts of the toxic chemical diethylene glycol (DEG). The federal Health Ministry confirmed that samples of the syrup, produced by Sresan Pharma in Tamil Nadu, contained DEG at levels exceeding safe limits.
The Dangers of DEG
Diethylene glycol is used in various industrial products, including solvents and antifreeze. It is highly toxic and can be fatal in small doses. This discovery led to an immediate ban on Coldrif cough syrup in several states, including Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Kerala. Authorities have also halted all other product sales from the same company.
Most samples tested were contaminated, though a few were not. This has led to broader inspections of drug factories across six states for quality control issues.
Past Concerns
This incident is not the first time that cough syrups made in India have come under international scrutiny. In 2022, more than 70 children in Gambia died after consuming contaminated medicine, an event that led to global alerts about the safety of some Indian made drugs.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to understand how the contamination happened and to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
India needs a clear policy on cough syrups and nationwide awareness among doctors and parents to curb reckless use. The stakes are real: the Madhya Pradesh doctor who prescribed the syrup linked to recent child deaths defended his practice, saying, “I’ve been prescribing this cough syrup for 15 years.”
What are your thoughts on the measures being taken to ensure medicine safety in light of this recent tragedy?
