Kerala suspends Coldrif cough syrup sales amid reports of child deaths

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Health Minister Veena George announced on Saturday that the state has suspended the sale and distribution of Coldrif cough syrup following safety concerns linked to a specific batch reported in other states.

Although a preliminary inquiry by the State Drugs Control Department found that the flagged batch had not been distributed in Kerala, the minister stated that the suspension was issued as a precautionary measure.

“In the interest of public safety, the Drugs Controller has directed inspectors to halt the distribution and sale of Coldrif syrup across the state,” she said in an official statement.

The syrup is currently distributed through eight centres in Kerala, all of which have been instructed to stop sales immediately. Additionally, all medical stores have been directed to suspend sales of Coldrif syrup until further notice.

As part of the state’s response, the Drugs Control Department has launched intensive inspections and collected samples of Coldrif for testing. Samples of other cough syrups are also being examined as a precaution.

Minister George reiterated existing guidelines from the Central Director General of Health Services (DGHS), which advise that cough syrups should not be prescribed to children under two years of age. Pharmacies have been instructed not to dispense such medication even if prescribed for this age group.

The state’s action follows reports from Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, where 11 children have died, reportedly from suspected kidney-related complications potentially linked to contaminated cough syrup. In Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara district alone, nine child deaths have been reported since 7 September. Senior Congress leader Kamal Nath has alleged that the mixing of a brake oil solvent in cough syrups may be responsible for the fatalities.

Tamil Nadu has also halted sale of the said cough syrup after the contamination reports.