Cough Syrup Deaths: Toxic Substance Found, Medicine Officially Banned & More

Cough Syrup Deaths: The cough syrup controversy has taken a serious turn as after the death of as many as 14 children in Madhya Pradesh's Chhindwara, the doctor who prescribed Coldrif syrup has been arrested. If reports are to be believed, some toxic substance was found in the cough syrup which lead to the deaths of several children.

Which toxic substance found in Coldrif cough syrup?

One such toxic cough syrup is Coldrif, which is manufactured by Sresan Pharmaceuticals, a Tamil Nadu-based company. As per the reports, the poisonous cough syrup, Coldrif, which lead to deaths of several children is said to contain a highly toxic industrial chemical, diethylene glycol (DEG).

What the sample test revealed? 

After the laboratory tests in Tamil Nadu, it was confirmed the presence of harmful chemical in the syrup, resulting into the ban of Coldrif and other medicines manufactured by Sresan Pharmaceuticals. The test report stated that Coldrif syrup (Batch No. SR-13, manufactured May 2025, expiring April 2027) as “Not of Standard Quality” and adulterated. It also stated that the syrup contained 48.6% diethylene glycol. Diethylene glycol is a chemical used in antifreeze and brake fluids, can cause kidney failure and death when ingested.

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare statement on Coldrif cough syrup

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare confirming that Coldrif Cough Syrup from Sresan Pharma’s contained diethylene glycol (DEG) above permissible limits. A statement of the ministry read, “As part of the ongoing investigation, it is further informed that a total of six samples were collected by CDSCO, which were tested, and all 6 were found to be free of DEG/EG. Simultaneously, MPFDA had informed that out of 13 samples collected by their team, 3 were analysed, which were found to be free of DEG/EG. At the request of the MP Govt, Tamil Nadu FDA had taken samples of Coldrif Cough Syrup from the manufacturing premises of M/S Sresan Pharma in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu. The results of testing these samples were shared with us late yesterday evening, 3rd October 2025. The samples are found to contain DEG beyond the permissible limit.”

Measures taken by Rajasthan govt

After the death of several children due to the consumption of Coldrif cough syrup, Rajasthan government has announced some strict measures. Earlier, the Rajasthan government had suspended the drug controller and halted the distribution of medicines manufactured by Jaipur-based company Kesons Pharma. As per the officials, the Medical and Health Department has banned the supply of as many as 19 medicines manufactured by Kesons Pharma until further orders. Distribution of all other cough syrups containing dextromethorphan has been banned.