The Madhya Pradesh government has imposed an immediate ban on the sale and distribution of the cough syrup Coldrif after laboratory tests confirmed the presence of a toxic chemical in samples linked to the recent deaths of several children.
Officials from the state’s Health Department said that the banned syrup, manufactured by a company based in Indore, was found to contain Diethylene Glycol (DEG) — a poisonous industrial solvent known to cause kidney and liver damage. DEG contamination has been linked to multiple mass poisoning incidents globally, including similar tragedies in India and abroad.
The alarming discovery came after several children in Ujjain and nearby districts reportedly died following the consumption of the syrup. The samples were sent to a government laboratory for testing, where experts confirmed the presence of the harmful substance.
Following the confirmation, Health Minister Rajendra Shukla ordered a statewide ban on the product and directed health officials to remove it from medical stores and hospitals immediately. Pharmacies have been instructed to surrender existing stocks of Coldrif to local drug inspectors.
Authorities have also initiated a criminal investigation against the manufacturer, with the state Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducting raids at production sites and storage facilities. Preliminary findings suggest possible lapses in quality control and contamination during manufacturing.
The state government has alerted the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) and requested nationwide monitoring to prevent the sale of the contaminated batch in other regions.
The tragedy has reignited concerns over the safety standards of over-the-counter medicines, particularly pediatric syrups. Experts have urged stricter inspections and routine lab testing to prevent recurrence of such incidents.
Health officials have appealed to the public to avoid using Coldrif and report any adverse reactions linked to cough syrups to nearby hospitals or drug control authorities.