At least 14 children in Madhya Pradesh have reportedly died or fallen critically ill after consuming Coldrif cough syrup, which was found to contain 48.6% diethylene glycol (DEG), a toxic industrial solvent.

The state government has banned all products from manufacturer Sresan Pharma, arrested prescribing doctor Praveen Soni, and formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the tragedy.

The Central Drug Standards Control Organisation (CDSCO) has launched multi-state inspections, as concerns mount over systemic failures in drug regulation. The Union Health ministry chaired a high-level meeting on rational use of cough syrups.

Deaths Mount, Doctor Arrested

The death toll has reportedly risen to 14, with three more children succumbing in Chhindwara and two in neighbouring Betul. While Betul officials have not confirmed a link to Coldrif, all confirmed fatalities in Chhindwara were due to acute kidney failure.

Dr Praveen Soni, the government doctor who prescribed the syrup, has been arrested and charged under Sections 105 and 276 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 27(a) of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act for negligence causing death and distributing adulterated drugs.

He has been remanded to police custody and suspended, with an internal inquiry citing his private practice and lack of diagnosis as contributing factors. The body of a two-year-old girl was exhumed with parental consent for autopsy, marking the first such procedure in the case.

State and National Response

In response, the Madhya Pradesh government has banned Coldrif and all Sresan Pharma products, sanctioned ₹4 lakh compensation per deceased child, and is covering medical costs for the eight children still hospitalised in Nagpur. The SIT will travel to Tamil Nadu to investigate the manufacturer.

Meanwhile, the CDSCO has initiated risk-based inspections across six states, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, MP, and Maharashtra, focusing on cough syrups, antipyretics, and antibiotics to prevent further tragedies. Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra have also banned Coldrif.

Government Advisory and Nationwide Measures

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued a strong advisory urging all states and Union Territories to ensure strict compliance with Revised Schedule M norms for Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and to promote the rational use of cough syrups, especially in children.

A high-level meeting chaired by Union Health Secretary Smt. Punya Salila Srivastava directed that cough and cold medications should not be prescribed to children under two years, and generally not recommended under five, due to minimal proven benefits and significant risks.

The advisory follows the Coldrif tragedy in Madhya Pradesh, where one syrup sample was found to contain diethylene glycol (DEG) beyond permissible limits. Risk-Based Inspections (RBI) have been launched across 19 units in six states, and the CDSCO has recommended cancellation of the manufacturer

Public Health Advisory: Key Precautions for Families

• Do not administer cough and cold medications to children under two years of age.
• These medicines are generally not recommended for children below five years, as most coughs are self-limiting and resolve without drugs.
• If prescribed for older children, ensure strict clinical evaluation, correct dosing, and close supervision.
• Avoid combination drugs that may lead to accidental overdose.
• Only use syrups manufactured under Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) with pharmaceutical-grade ingredients.
• Check batch details and immediately report any possession of Coldrif syrup (Batch No. SR-13) to local drug authorities.
• Rely only on registered healthcare providers and avoid self-medication for children.

The Logical Indian’s Perspective

The preventable deaths of 14 children due to a toxic cough syrup is a harrowing reminder of the human cost of regulatory failure.

While holding individuals accountable is necessary, systemic reforms in drug manufacturing oversight and prescription practices are urgent. The Logical Indian urges authorities to ensure transparency, strengthen quality control, and prioritise child safety over profit.