At least 17 children die after consuming cough syrup in Madhya Pradesh

October 10, 2025 by News Desk

At least 17 children have died following kidney failure linked to the consumption of a toxic cough syrup named Coldrif in Madhya Pradesh.

Tests revealed that Coldrif contained 48.6 percent diethylene glycol (DEG), far above the permissible limit of 0.1 percent.

The manufacturer, Sresan Pharmaceutical Manufacturer from Tamil Nadu, and its owner have been implicated.

Police have arrested S. Ranganathan, the owner of the company, in Chennai. He is to be transferred to Chhindwara for further legal process. Authorities are actively seizing stocks, removing bottles from homes, stores, and distribution chains.

Not just Coldrif, two other syrups, Respifresh TR produced by Rednex Pharmaceuticals and ReLife by Shape Pharma, were also found contaminated with DEG in concentrations above permissible levels.

Although no deaths have been attributed to these two syrups yet, they have been recalled, and their manufacturing has been halted.

Within Madhya Pradesh, authorities have intensified scrutiny — 30 pharmaceutical firms are now under investigation by the state Food and Drug Administration (MPFDA).

So far, 243 samples of syrups and oral liquids have been collected, and 1,086 bottles of cough syrups, including Coldrif, have been frozen to block further distribution.

Meanwhile, Punjab has banned all products from Sresan Pharmaceuticals, citing the risk posed by the firm’s formulations.

Politically, opposition leaders have accused the state government of suppressing the true number of deaths. In a candlelight march in Chhindwara, Congress leader Digvijay Singh claimed that official figures are being manipulated.

In response, the Madhya Pradesh Health Minister affirmed that “the guilty will not be spared.”

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has also issued notices to the governments of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, demanding detailed reports on the investigation, sample testing, and actions taken inthe matter.