Madhya Pradesh bans Coldrif cough syrup statewide
The Madhya Pradesh government has banned the sale and distribution of Coldrif cough syrup after it was linked to at least 10 child deaths. The ban follows laboratory confirmation that the syrup contained dangerously high levels of Diethylene Glycol (DEG), a toxic industrial solvent.
For nearly a week, the government insisted it was awaiting reports and claimed that no toxic elements had been detected. However, pressure mounted after NDTV accessed a confidential report from the Tamil Nadu Drugs Control Department, confirming DEG contamination at 48.6%.
Tamil Nadu report exposes toxic contamination
The decisive action came after Tamil Nadu’s findings declared Coldrif syrup “not of standard quality” and “adulterated with a poisonous substance.”
The order, signed by Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) Controller Dinesh Kumar Maurya, directed all district drug inspectors to immediately stop sales of Coldrif syrup and other medicines produced by Sresan Pharmaceuticals, based in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu.
Inspectors were also ordered to seize existing stocks, halt distribution, and send samples for urgent testing. The directive extended the ban to all products of the company, citing risks to public health.
Chief Minister vows strict action
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav described the deaths in Chhindwara as “extremely tragic” and assured that strict measures are underway.
“The sale of Coldrif syrup has been banned throughout Madhya Pradesh. Other products from the same manufacturer are also banned. The culprits will not be spared,” he stated.
Yadav confirmed that a special investigation team has been formed at both state and local levels. He said the state had requested Tamil Nadu to conduct a probe soon after the incident, and action was taken swiftly once the official report arrived.
Allegations of delay and denial
Until NDTV reported the Tamil Nadu findings, state Health Minister Rajendra Shukla had dismissed concerns, claiming that “no toxic substances were found” in early tests and that final results were pending from central laboratories.
Families of the victims alleged negligence and delay in government response. According to relatives, children showed identical symptoms — fever, vomiting, and sudden stoppage of urination — consistent with DEG poisoning.
Currently, at least six children are undergoing treatment at GMC Nagpur. Doctors confirmed that two are on dialysis while four remain on ventilator support.
Coldrif deaths raise wider concerns
The Coldrif case is not an isolated incident. In past years, DEG-contaminated syrups have caused multiple child deaths in India and abroad, raising serious concerns about drug safety regulations. Experts note that DEG is often used in industrial applications, but when substituted for safe ingredients in medicine, it can lead to kidney failure and death.
The Madhya Pradesh government has promised sweeping action against the manufacturer and tighter monitoring of pharmaceutical supply chains to avoid such tragedies.
As investigations continue, health authorities have urged citizens to immediately stop using Coldrif syrup and report any adverse reactions to nearby hospitals.
Conclusion
The Coldrif ban in Madhya Pradesh underscores the urgent need for strict drug quality monitoring in India. With 10 confirmed deaths and more children critically ill, authorities are under pressure to ensure accountability and prevent further tragedies.
This case highlights how media intervention, state coordination, and transparency are vital in exposing life-threatening lapses in drug safety.