11 Children Die After Taking Contaminated Cough Syrup in India: Doctor Arrested and Medicine Banned

Doctor arrested in Madhya Pradesh over 11 children deaths linked to contaminated cough syrup

Bhopal:

The pediatrician who prescribed Coldrif syrup to children in Madhya Pradesh's Chhindwara has been arrested following the deaths of 11 children allegedly caused by contaminated cough syrup, officials announced early Sunday. Most victims were treated at the private clinic of Praveen Soni in Parasia.

Soni, a government doctor who prescribed the syrup during private practice, was also suspended from his official position.

The Madhya Pradesh government has filed a case against Srisan Pharmaceuticals, the Tamil Nadu-based manufacturer of Coldrif cough syrup located in Kanchipuram district.

Authorities previously banned Coldrif sales after testing revealed it contained 48.6% diethylene glycol, a highly toxic substance. The government drug analyst at Chennai's Drug Testing Laboratory declared the syrup "Not of Standard Quality," according to the Tamil Nadu Directorate of Drug Control.

As a precautionary measure, local administration banned both Coldrif and another cough syrup, 'Nextro-DS,' on Monday. While Coldrif's test results arrived Saturday, Nextro-DS results are still pending.

Grieving families reported that children initially experienced cold and mild fever in early September. After receiving routine medication including cough syrups, they appeared to recover briefly before symptoms returned with alarming reduction in urine output. Their conditions deteriorated into kidney infections, ultimately leading to death.

Subsequent kidney biopsies revealed diethylene glycol contamination.

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav described the deaths as "extremely tragic" and promised strict action against responsible parties.

"The deaths of children in Chhindwara due to Coldrif syrup are extremely tragic. The sale of this syrup has been banned across Madhya Pradesh. A ban is also being imposed on the sale of other products from the company that manufactures the syrup," he wrote on X on Saturday.

Yadav mentioned requesting Tamil Nadu authorities to test Coldrif since the manufacturing facility is located in Kanchipuram.

"The investigation report was received this morning. Strict action has been taken based on the report. Following the tragic deaths of the children, action was underway at the local level. A team has also been formed at the state level to investigate this matter. The guilty will not be spared at any cost," Yadav stated.

Rajasthan, which has experienced three similar deaths, along with Tamil Nadu and Kerala, have also banned Coldrif.