The Union Well being Ministry stated on Friday (October 3, 2025) that the take a look at confirmed that cough syrup, which is linked to the current deaths of youngsters in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, was freed from contaminants inflicting critical kidney harm.
Nonetheless, the Drug Management Division in Tamil Nadu has issued an instantaneous halt manufacturing order to producers of ColdRif branded cough syrup after an evaluation by the federal government’s Drug Testing Institute discovered it to be a batch “not of ordinary high quality” and “stained with diethylene glycol”.
The 9 deaths in Madhya Pradesh had been attributed to chilly driff, whereas two instances in Rajasthan had been related to consumption of dextromethorphan-based formulations.
Following his demise in Madhya Pradesh, the Nationwide Middle for Illness Management and Prevention Group, the Nationwide Institute of Viral Analysis (NIV), the Central Drug Requirements Management Company, and different labs visited the state. They collected cough syrup, blood and different samples from the sufferers.
“In accordance with the take a look at outcomes, the samples didn’t comprise any contaminants (deg) or ethylene glycol (for instance), identified to trigger critical kidney harm,” the ministry stated.
One case of leptospirosis
Madhya Pradesh State and Drug Administration examined three samples to verify that there have been no Deg and Eg. Moreover, blood and cerebrospinal fluid samples have been examined by NIV, Pune for widespread pathogens. One case has been discovered to be optimistic for leptospirosis, a launch from the Ministry of Well being stated. Water and respiratory specimen samples had been additional investigated by Neeri, Niv Pune, and different laboratories.
Relating to studies regarding the deaths of two kids in Rajasthan, the ministry revealed that the product in query didn’t comprise propylene glycol.
“As well as, the referenced product is a dextromethorphan-based formulation that isn’t advisable for pediatric use,” the memo stated.
The Rajasthan Medical and Well being Division has eradicated the connection between demise and cough syrup given beneath the Prime Minister’s free well being system.
“The investigation report confirmed that (two) kids got cough syrup at house with out medical recommendation,” stated Rabbi Prakash Sharma (Public Well being) in Jaipur.
Sharma stated docs at Shikal and Bharatpur’s authorities well being services had not prescribed dextromethorphan treatment in each instances. “This widespread cough syrup is just not prescribed for kids,” he stated.
Nonetheless, Kayson Pharma, an organization primarily based in Sarna Doangar village in Jaipur that provides medication for the Chief Minister’s Free Medication Scheme, has come beneath the state authorities scanner. The Well being Division ordered an investigation into the standard of all medication produced by the corporate.
India has beforehand confronted such a disaster. In 2020, 12 kids died in Jammu after ingesting contaminated cough syrup. It’s stated that 70 kids died within the Gambia in 2022.
Present trigger notification
The Tamil Nadu authorities has issued a present trigger discover to producers.
S. Gurubharathi, assistant director of the Cum and Management Bureau of Drug Administration and Licensing, confirmed the findings. The Drug Administration Division stated it had taken instant regulatory measures after receiving info concerning deaths in Madhya Pradesh resulting from medication containing paracetamol, phenyllephrine salts, malamine syrup chlorpheniramine (collected drift syrup), batch No. SR-13 (Made 2025 manufacturing date 2025 manufacturing date 2025 manufacturing date 2025), and phenylphenylpheniramine maramine syrup (collected drift syrup). Producer, Sunguvarchathiram, Kancheepuram district.
Advisory
The Union Ministry of Well being has issued suggestions to all states and Union territories concerning the affordable use of cough syrup in kids. Advocating for using a secure, restricted and solely prescription of cough syrup, he stated that cough in kids is often a self-limiting situation. We warned in opposition to prescribing cough syrup to kids beneath the age of two.
Printed – October 3, 2025, 10:16pm
