The Union Well being Ministry mentioned on Friday (October 3, 2025) that assessments had confirmed that contaminants inflicting severe kidney damage weren’t current within the cough syrups, linked to the recent deaths of children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
Whereas the deaths in Madhya Pradesh had been attributed to Coldrif syrup, the instances in Rajasthan had been linked to the consumption of a dextromethorphan-based formulation.
Following the deaths in Madhya Pradesh, a joint staff consisting of representatives from the Nationwide Centre for Illness Management (NCDC), the Nationwide Institute of Virology (NIV), the Central Medication Normal Management Organisation (CDSCO), and different institutes visited the State. They collected samples of cough syrups in addition to blood and different samples from sufferers.
One leptospirosis case
“As per the check outcomes, not one of the samples contained diethylene glycol (DEG) or ethylene glycol (EG), contaminants which might be identified to trigger severe kidney damage.” The Madhya Pradesh State Meals and Drug Administration (SFDA) additionally examined three samples and confirmed the absence of DEG/EG. Additional, blood/cerebrospinal fluid samples have been examined by NIV, Pune, for frequent pathogens. One case has been discovered constructive for leptospirosis,’’ mentioned a launch issued by the Well being Ministry on Friday. It additional mentioned that samples of water, entomological vectors, and respiratory specimens are underneath additional investigation by the NEERI, NIV Pune, and different laboratories.
A multi-disciplinary staff comprising consultants from the NCDC, NIV, ICMR, AIIMS Nagpur, and the State well being authorities is investigating all doable causes behind the reported instances.
As regards the stories associated to dying of two kids in Rajasthan due to the consumption of a contaminated cough syrup, the Ministry clarified that the product in query doesn’t comprise propylene glycol, which generally is a potential supply of contaminants, DEG/EG. “Moreover, the product underneath reference is a dextromethorphan-based formulation, which isn’t really useful for paediatric use,’’ mentioned the be aware.
Contaminated, says T.N.
Nevertheless, the Tamil Nadu’s Medication Management Division on Friday issued a direct cease manufacturing order to the producer of Coldrif syrup after an evaluation by the Authorities Medication Testing Laboratory discovered Batch No. SR-13 to be “not of ordinary high quality” and “adulterated with diethylene glycol” (DEG). A show-cause discover has been served on the producer for cancellation of its licence.
S. Gurubharathi, the Deputy Director of Medication Management and Licensing Authority cum Controlling Authority, Tamil Nadu, confirmed the discovering. The Medication Management Division mentioned it had taken instant regulatory motion after receiving info on the deaths in Madhya Pradesh attributed to the drug containing paracetamol, phenylephrine hydrochloride, chlorpheniramine maleate syrup (Coldrif Syrup), Batch No. SR-13 (manufacturing date of Might 2025 and expiry date of April 2027) manufactured by Sresan Pharmaceutical Producer, Sunguvarchathiram, Kancheepuram district.
Earlier cases
DEG is a poisonous chemical identified to trigger extreme kidney harm. India has confronted such crises earlier than. In 2020, 12 kids in Jammu died after ingesting a contaminated cough syrup. In 2022, not less than 70 kids within the Gambia died, their deaths linked to Indian syrups laced with DEG.
In Rajasthan, the medical and well being division has dominated out any connection between the deaths and the cough syrup given underneath the Chief Minister’s free medication scheme. “An inquiry report has confirmed that the [two] kids had been administered cough syrup at dwelling with out medical recommendation,” Ravi Prakash Sharma, director (Public Well being), mentioned in Jaipur on Friday.
Mr. Sharma mentioned the medical doctors on the authorities well being amenities in Sikar and Bharatpur had not prescribed dextromethorphan (DXM) drug to the youngsters in each incidents. “As per protocol, this generic cough syrup just isn’t prescribed to kids,” he mentioned. In one other case in Sikar district, the Well being Division has initiated suspension proceedings towards a health care provider and a pharmacist for wrongly prescribing a DXM-based cough syrup to a toddler in violation of the medical protocol.
Nevertheless, Kayson Pharma, the agency based mostly at Sarna Doongar village in Jaipur district, which provides medication for the Chief Minister’s free medication scheme, has come underneath the State authorities’s scanner. The Well being Division has ordered an intensive investigation into the standard of all medicines, together with Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide Syrup IP 13.5 mg/5 ml, manufactured by the pharma firm.
Advisory
The Union Well being Ministry has issued an advisory to all States and Union Territories on rational use of cough syrups in kids. Whereas advocating for protected, restricted and only-under-prescription use of cough syrups, it mentioned that cough in kids is normally a self-limiting situation. It additionally cautioned towards prescribing cough syrups to kids under two years of age. Even in older kids, such medicines must be used with care, it mentioned.
The Ministry emphasised the significance of supportive measures resembling hydration and relaxation, and directed the States to make sure the steering is disseminated extensively throughout all well being centres.
Mr. Sharma mentioned the Rajasthan Well being Division too had issued an advisory asking the medicos to strictly make sure that the medicines are given solely towards legitimate prescriptions. The general public at giant have additionally been suggested to not eat medicines with out consulting medical doctors.
Revealed – October 03, 2025 10:16 pm IST