Amid rising safety concerns linked to a specific batch of Coldrif cough syrup, the Kerala government has temporarily suspended its sale statewide.

The move follows similar bans imposed by Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh, where the syrup has been suspected in multiple child deaths.

Kerala Health Minister Veena George said the precautionary step was taken after reports from other states revealed contamination.

The state’s Drugs Control Department confirmed that the tainted batch was not distributed in Kerala, but ordered a suspension as a preventive measure.

What triggered the crackdown

The cough syrup, marketed by Sresan Pharmaceuticals in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, has come under national scrutiny after at least 14 children reportedly died in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara district since September 7, with additional suspected cases in Rajasthan. 

Toxic solvent found in samples

Laboratory tests conducted by the Drug Testing Laboratory in Chennai detected 48.6% diethylene glycol (DEG) — a highly toxic industrial solvent — in Coldrif samples.

DEG exposure can damage the kidneys and nervous systems, and has been linked to several mass poisoning tragedies in the past. Tamil Nadu’s Directorate of Drug Control officially declared the sample “Not of Standard Quality.”

States move fast to ban sale

  • Tamil Nadu banned Coldrif sales statewide from October 1.
  • Madhya Pradesh followed with a suspension order after confirming the child deaths.
  • Kerala joined in on Saturday, banning sales and recalling stocks from pharmacies.
  • Telangana’s Drugs Control Administration (DCA) issued a public alert, urging people to immediately stop using the syrup.

Centre steps in with nationwide checks

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has launched risk-based inspections of drug manufacturing units across six states — Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra.

A total of 19 samples, including cough syrups, antibiotics, and antipyretics, are under laboratory testing.

Advisory for doctors and parents

The Union Health Ministry has issued a fresh advisory warning against prescribing cough and cold syrups to children below two years.

The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) reiterated that such medications are not recommended for children under five unless clinically essential, and even then, should be used with strict supervision and correct dosage.

In summary

The Coldrif cough syrup controversy underscores India’s recurring struggle with drug safety oversight, prompting nationwide testing and renewed scrutiny of small-scale pharmaceutical manufacturers.