Cough Syrup Death Case: Another Coldrif Sample Found Toxic By Authorities

The Madhya Pradesh Food and Drug Administration (FDA) confirmed that another sample from the same batch of Coldrif cough syrup tested positive for elevated levels of the toxic chemical diethylene glycol (DEG). The contaminated sample, collected by district-level FDA officials, matches earlier findings from the batch linked to the deaths of 23 children in the state.

The MPFDA has issued directives to district collectors and instructed drug inspectors to conduct thorough inspections of medical outlets. Simultaneously, the state government has banned the sale of Coldrif, Respifresh, and Relife cough syrups and initiated a comprehensive market recall.

Earlier, the Directorate General of Health Services had issued a strong advisory to all states and Union Territories, calling for stringent testing and strict regulatory monitoring of pharmaceutical products. Manufacturers have been ordered to keep proper production records and source raw materials only from approved and credible suppliers.  

The Directorate also reiterated that cough and cold medications must not be prescribed or dispensed to children under two years of age, and are generally discouraged for those under five. For older children, use should follow thorough clinical evaluation, with proper dosing, minimal duration, and avoidance of multiple drug combinations.  

Lab tests conducted in Tamil Nadu confirmed the presence of toxic chemicals in Coldrif syrup. These findings, reported by the state’s Director of Drugs Control, were shared with Madhya Pradesh authorities on October 4. Following this, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav ordered an immediate ban on the sale, distribution, and stockpiling of Coldrif syrup statewide, later expanding the ban to cover all medicines produced by Sresan Pharmaceuticals.  

On Friday, a Parasia court remanded Sresan Pharma owner Ranganathan to 10 days in police custody in connection with the child deaths allegedly caused by Coldrif cough syrup. He had been presented before the court earlier the same day.

Govindan is alleged to have manufactured and distributed the toxic cough syrup ‘Coldrif,’ which has been linked to fatalities in Chhindwara, Parasia, Jabalpur, and Betul.