06 October,2025 02:57 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava chairs a high-level meeting with states/UTs on quality and rational use of cough syrups. PIC/X
On Monday, the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an urgent appeal for the citizens to immediately stop the sale or use of a specific batch of Coldrif syrup, following reports of child deaths in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, news agency PTI reported.
Earlier, the Tamil Nadu drug control authorities, in their report dated October 2, declared the Coldrif syrup sample (Batch No. SR-13; Manufactured: May 2025; Expiry: April 2027), produced by Sresan Pharmaceuticals, Kancheepuram, as adulterated owing to the presence of 48.6 per cent of diethylene glycol, a toxic substance "which may render the contents injurious to health."
As many as 14 child deaths have been reported in Madhya Pradesh's Chhindwara district, believed to be owing to suspected renal failure caused by the consumption of the "toxic" cough syrup.
"The public is urged to remain cautious and report any possession of Coldrif Syrup Batch No. SR-13 to the nearest Drugs Control Authority without delay," stated the Maharashtra FDA on Monday, warning that the batch is suspected of being adulterated with diethylene glycol, a dangerous chemical, PTI reported.
FDA officials added that they are working closely with the Tamil Nadu Drugs Control Administration to trace the distribution of the affected batch in Maharashtra. All drug inspectors and assistant commissioners have been instructed to alert retailers, wholesalers, and hospitals to immediately freeze any available stock of the syrup, the statement said.
The Maharashtra FDA assured that it is taking all necessary actions to protect public health and prevent further risks, PTI reported. The syrup, which contains Phenylephrine Hydrochloride and Chlorpheniramine Maleate, was produced by Sresan Pharmaceuticals in Sunguvarchathram, Tamil Nadu's Kancheepuram district, the statement added.
Cough syrup row: MP Leader of Opposition demands Rs 10-lakh ex-gratia for victims' families
Umang Singhar, the leader of opposition in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly, lashed out at Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and Health Minister Rajendra Shukla on Monday over the deaths children in Chhindwara allegedly owing to the consumption of contaminated cough syrup, news agency ANI reported.
Singhar demanded an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh for each child's family and employment for the relatives of the victims. He also questioned Yadav for not taking action against the drug controller.
Speaking to ANI, Singhar said, "Now, when so many children have died, you have banned that company. But you are filing a case against the doctor. What is the doctor's fault? Thousands of doctors write prescriptions, but the company manufactures the medicine. The government appoints the Drug Controller to deal with the medicine company. Why haven't you held the Drug Controller accountable?"
He urged the chief minister to act before the situation worsened, adding, "Chief Minister, will you wake up when Madhya Pradesh turns into a graveyard? I believe immediate action is necessary. The Chief Minister should immediately seek answers from the Health Minister. He should summon him. A clean chit was given to the cough syrup company."
"I would like to urge the Health Minister and Chief Minister to take immediate action and conduct a judicial inquiry. Victims should be given Rs 10 lakh each. If there is anyone in their family, they should be given a job," said Singhar.
(With PTI and ANI inputs)
