The Tamil Nadu government has banned the sale of Coldrif cough syrup and shut down its manufacturing unit in Kancheepuram after tests confirmed it was adulterated with 48.6% diethylene glycol, a toxic industrial solvent.
The syrup, produced by Sresan Pharmaceuticals, is suspected to have caused the deaths of at least 11 children, nine in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara district and two in Rajasthan, after they developed acute kidney failure.
The ban was enforced on October 1, 2025, following a rapid inspection and testing process. Tamil Nadu authorities have also issued a stop-production order, sent a show-cause notice to the manufacturer, and alerted Puducherry and Odisha, where the syrup was distributed.
The state’s proactive measures prompted Madhya Pradesh to follow suit, imposing its own statewide ban. The Union Health Ministry has issued an advisory against prescribing cough syrups to children under two years old.
Swift Investigation and Toxic Confirmation
Within hours of receiving a communication from Madhya Pradesh’s drug controller on October 1, Tamil Nadu’s Drugs Control Department launched an urgent inspection at Sresan Pharmaceuticals’ facility in Sunguvarchathram, Kancheepuram, despite it being a government holiday.
Officials found 39 critical and 325 major violations of manufacturing standards under Schedule M and Schedule L1 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945. Five samples were collected, Coldrif batch SR-13 and four other syrups, and sent for urgent testing.
Within 24 hours, the Chennai government laboratory confirmed Coldrif batch SR-13 was adulterated with 48.6% diethylene glycol (DEG), a nephrotoxic substance used in paints and antifreeze, which causes acute kidney failure in children. Deputy Director S Gurubharathi called it a landmark case of swift regulatory action, the first in India to complete inspection, testing, and a stop-production order in under two days.
Madhya Pradesh Follows, National Alert Issued
After receiving the Tamil Nadu report on October 4, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced a statewide ban on Coldrif and all other products manufactured by Sresan Pharmaceuticals. At least seven of the nine deceased children in Chhindwara had consumed Coldrif, and one had taken another syrup from the same company.
The Union Health Ministry has issued an advisory urging all states not to prescribe cough and cold medications to children under two years old, citing the ongoing investigation. Tamil Nadu has also alerted Puducherry, Odisha, and Rajasthan to prevent further distribution, and the company has been served a show-cause notice for potential licence cancellation.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The tragic deaths of children due to a contaminated cough syrup expose critical gaps in drug safety and regulatory oversight. Tamil Nadu’s swift, science-driven response sets a powerful example of accountability and public health protection. The Logical Indian stands for zero tolerance toward negligence that endangers lives, especially the most vulnerable.
