The Coldrif cough syrup is at the center of a national health crisis, triggered by reported child deaths. At least 11 children have died in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh after consuming the syrup, though some reports suggest the number may be higher, reaching 12. In response, the states of Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu have banned the drug. The Union Health Ministry is conducting investigations and has found that samples of the syrup contain a high concentration of the toxic substance diethylene glycol (DEG).
The syrup is manufactured by Shreeson Pharma Private Limited in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu. Investigations by the Tamil Nadu Drug Control Department revealed that batch number SR-13 had a 48.6% concentration of DEG, a substance known to cause kidney failure and death. The majority of fatalities occurred in the Chhindwara district of Madhya Pradesh, where the syrup was given to children to treat coughs. The Union Health Ministry has begun inspections of 19 pharmaceutical units across six different states.
The Chhattisgarh Health Department has confirmed that no products from Shreeson Pharma are currently available in the state. However, a ban on Coldrif syrup has been imposed in an effort to avoid any confusion or speculation. The department is carefully monitoring the markets and has ordered drug vendors to stop selling all products from the company immediately.
Ashwani Vig, a local pharmaceutical distributor, has confirmed that there is no established supply chain or storage of Coldrif in Chhattisgarh. Following the incidents in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, images of the syrup were shared on social media, causing widespread concern and prompting people to be more careful when purchasing medicines. The Health Department is urging parents to avoid giving cough syrups to children without medical advice and to report any suspect drugs immediately.