Deadly Contamination: Madhya Pradesh Bans Coldrif Cough Syrup After 10 Deaths and Confirmed Diethylene Glycol Presence

Officials were instructed to "stop further sale and distribution of 'Coldrif' syrup" as per the government directive.

Following NDTV's disclosure of a confidential letter from the Tamil Nadu Drugs Control Department, the Madhya Pradesh government issued a ban on 'Coldrif' cough syrup on Saturday. The report confirmed the presence of 48.6 percent Diethylene Glycol (DEG), a toxic industrial solvent, in the medication. The death toll in Madhya Pradesh allegedly connected to this cough syrup has now reached 10.

The Madhya Pradesh government had maintained for nearly a week that they were "awaiting reports" and claimed that "no toxic elements had been found so far." However, the state's Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has now issued an urgent directive to all drug inspectors across the state, prohibiting the sale and distribution of 'Coldrif' syrup and all other medications manufactured by Sresan Pharmaceuticals, a Kanchipuram-based company in Tamil Nadu.

Controller Dinesh Kumar Maurya signed the order, which specifically references the Tamil Nadu government's October 3 report. This report declared the batch "not of standard quality" and "adulterated with 48.6 percent Diethylene Glycol, a poisonous substance which may render the contents injurious to health."

The directive instructed all district drug inspectors to "stop further sale and distribution of 'Coldrif' syrup immediately, take necessary action, and freeze available stock." It further stated that "the sale of all other products of the company is also to be stopped and samples sent for urgent testing."

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav of Madhya Pradesh stated, "The deaths of children in Chhindwara due to Coldrif syrup are extremely tragic. The sale of this syrup has been banned throughout Madhya Pradesh. The sale of other products of the company that manufactured the syrup is also being banned. The syrup manufacturing factory is located in Kanchipuram, so after learning of the incident, the state government asked the Tamil Nadu government to investigate. The investigation report was received this morning. Strict action has been taken based on the report."

He also mentioned that a special team has been formed to investigate the matter at both local and state levels, assuring that "the culprits will not be spared."

Prior to NDTV reporting the Tamil Nadu findings, both Madhya Pradesh Health Minister Rajendra Shukla and his department had publicly denied any connection between the syrups and the deaths. Shukla had stated, "Samples tested so far show no toxic substance. Reports are awaited from central labs."

According to the families of the deceased children in Madhya Pradesh, all victims exhibited identical symptoms: fever, vomiting, and sudden cessation of urination, which is consistent with DEG poisoning. Currently, six children are receiving treatment at GMC Nagpur, with two undergoing dialysis and four on ventilator support.