The Ministry of Health has called an urgent meeting at 4:00 pm on Sunday to discuss the growing concern over contaminated cough syrups. The meeting will include Principal Secretaries, Health Secretaries, and Drug Controllers from all States and Union Territories.
The Health Secretary will chair the session, focusing on two major points — the rational use of cough syrups and maintaining drug quality. Officials said the goal is to strengthen safety measures and ensure that over-the-counter medicines, especially cough syrups, meet all standards.
Tragedy in Madhya Pradesh
At least 14 children have died in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara district after consuming a cough syrup called Coldrif. Health officials suspect that the children suffered from renal failure after taking the syrup.
Tests later revealed that the syrup contained 48.6% diethylene glycol (DEG), a highly toxic chemical often used in antifreeze and brake fluids. This substance can cause kidney failure and death when ingested. As a result, the Madhya Pradesh government immediately banned the sale of Coldrif syrup on Saturday.
Drug Samples Under Investigation
The Tamil Nadu Food and Drug Administration tested the Coldrif samples and confirmed the presence of diethylene glycol beyond permissible limits. The state government also banned all products from Sresan Pharmaceutical, the manufacturer based in Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu.
The Madhya Pradesh Drug Regulatory Authority is also conducting its own analysis, and results are awaited. Meanwhile, background tests by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) found no DEG contamination in six other drugs used by affected children.
Centre Orders Nationwide Crackdown
Following the tragedy, the Centre ordered a nationwide inspection of drug manufacturing units. The CDSCO will conduct risk-based inspections to identify regulatory gaps and prevent future incidents.
Officials confirmed that strict action will be taken against the Tamil Nadu-based manufacturer under investigation.
Doctor Arrested in Chhindwara
Authorities have arrested Dr. Praveen Soni, a pediatrician from Chhindwara, who allegedly prescribed Coldrif syrup to several children with cough and fever. Most of the deceased children were treated at his private clinic in Parasia.
The state government has also filed a case against Sresan Pharmaceuticals following the incident.
19 Medicines Suspended in Rajasthan
The crisis has spread beyond Madhya Pradesh. In Rajasthan, Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khinvsar announced that 19 medicines from Kaysan Pharma, Jaipur, have been suspended. The decision followed reports of adverse effects linked to Dextromethorphan HBr syrup in Bharatpur and Sikar districts.
Patients complained of vomiting, dizziness, and fainting after consuming the syrup. The Health Department has banned the affected batches and sent samples for further testing.
Two health officials and the State Drug Controller were also suspended for negligence.
Tamil Nadu and Kerala Impose Bans
The Tamil Nadu government has banned the sale of Coldrif cough syrup across the state, starting October 1. Officials from the Food Safety and Drug Administration conducted inspections at the company’s factory in Kancheepuram and collected samples for testing.
Meanwhile, Kerala Health Minister Veena George confirmed that the state Drugs Control Department has also suspended the sale of Coldrif. Though the flagged batch was not sold in Kerala, all distributors were instructed to stop selling and distributing the product as a precaution.
Uttarakhand Launches Statewide Raids
In Uttarakhand, authorities launched statewide raids on medical stores and drug distributors. Health Secretary Dr. R. Rajesh Kumar said inspectors will collect cough syrup samples from hospitals and pharmacies within the month. He added that the samples will undergo lab testing, and any harmful or substandard drugs will be removed from the market immediately.
Centre Prioritizes Drug Safety
The Health Ministry aims to prevent future tragedies by tightening drug quality checks across India. The meeting today is expected to set stricter monitoring and control mechanisms for over-the-counter medicines, especially those given to children. Officials stressed that the safety and health of children remain the government’s top priority.