Cough Syrup Deaths in India
The recent cough syrup deaths in India refer primarily to tragic incidents in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan where at least 20 children have died after consuming toxic or contaminated cough syrups. The key points are:
The syrup Coldrif, manufactured by Sresan Pharmaceuticals in Tamil Nadu, was found contaminated with diethylene glycol (DEG), an industrial chemical toxic to humans, which caused acute kidney failure and death in children, mostly under five years old. At least 14 deaths in Madhya Pradesh were linked directly to this contaminated syrup.
In Rajasthan, deaths of children have been linked to locally produced cough syrup containing dextromethorphan hydrobromide, which is not recommended for young children. These syrups were distributed under government schemes, prompting investigations and suspensions of health officials.
DEG contamination occurs because it is a cheaper substitute for propylene glycol, a pharmaceutical-grade solvent commonly used in syrups, but DEG is highly toxic and causes kidney damage when ingested.
Multiple states including Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, and others have banned these harmful syrup brands and launched investigations. Arrests have been made, including a pediatrician in Madhya Pradesh, but there are ongoing concerns about accountability and regulatory lapses.
The crisis highlights major gaps in drug safety oversight and the urgent need for stronger pharmaceutical regulations and testing protocols in India to prevent such tragedies from recurring.
The companies under investigation for the cough syrup deaths in India are:
Sresan Pharmaceuticals (Tamil Nadu) – Manufacturer of the toxic cough syrup brand Coldrif, linked to at least 14 child deaths in Madhya Pradesh due to contamination with diethylene glycol (DEG), an industrial poison. The company’s manufacturing unit was found operating in unhygienic conditions with licensing violations. The owner G. Ranganathan was arrested, and the company’s license is under threat of revocation. State and federal authorities are investigating Sresan Pharma for negligence and possible manslaughter.
Kayson Pharma (Rajasthan) – Manufacturer of a cough syrup containing dextromethorphan hydrobromide, linked to child deaths in Rajasthan. This syrup was distributed under the state’s free medicine scheme. The government has suspended all medicines from Kayson Pharma and is probing the company thoroughly.
Other Companies Under Scrutiny – The Indian drug regulatory authority noted lapses in testing and quality control in multiple pharmaceutical firms, including Shape Pharma and Rednex in Gujarat, whose cough syrup samples were found “not of standard quality.” These companies have faced production and distribution halts pending further investigation.
The major focus is on Sresan Pharmaceuticals for the contaminated Coldrif syrup deaths and Kayson Pharma in Rajasthan, with additional investigations into other pharmaceutical firms flagged for quality violations amid the crisis.
