Contaminated cough syrups have led to the tragic deaths of at least 20 children in Madhya Pradesh, central India. The children all under the age of five died over the past month and the deatha have been linked to three over-the-counter cough syrups which have been found to contain diethylene glycol (DEG), a lethal industrial solvent used in brake fluids and antifreeze. The majority of deaths so far have occurred in Madhya Pradesh, where children under the age of five were given Coldrif for coughs and colds.
Many rapidly developed fever, vomiting, severe kidney failure, and died within days, prompting a national outcry and international concern. Lab tests revealed dangerously high concentrations of DEG in the syrup, reportedly up to 500 times the permitted limit.
The contaminated medicine triggered acute kidney injuries, with several children rapidly developing symptoms like vomiting, fever, and a complete halt in urination.
The World Health Organization (WHO) expressed “deep concern” over India’s pharmaceutical oversight, warning that dangerous medicines like these can leak into international markets via informal or poorly regulated export channels.
Indian authorities have since arrested G. Ranganathan, owner of Sresan Pharmaceuticals, the Tamil Nadu-based company behind Coldrif.
His company is accused of breaching over 360 drug manufacturing rules, with a government report highlighting serious lapses in hygiene, staff qualifications, quality control, and water safety.
Dr. Praveen Soni, a government physician who prescribed the syrup to several affected children, was also arrested for negligence.
With India being the world’s third-largest drug manufacturer, experts warn that these systemic failures could have global consequences if not urgently addressed.
This isn’t the first such case. In 2023, Indian cough syrups containing DEG were tied to the deaths of children in Gambia (70 deaths) and Uzbekistan (18 deaths).