The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a Medical Product Alert (No. 5/2025) after detecting serious contamination in three India-made oral liquid medicines — COLDRIF, Respifresh TR, and ReLife. The alert follows reports of child fatalities and severe illnesses linked to the use of these syrups in parts of India.
According to WHO, laboratory analysis by India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) confirmed on October 8, 2025, that the medicines contained diethylene glycol (DEG) — a toxic industrial solvent — at levels far exceeding safety limits. Exposure to DEG can cause vomiting, abdominal pain, acute kidney failure, neurological damage, and can be fatal, particularly among children.
The contaminated syrups were produced by three Indian firms — Sresan Pharmaceutical (COLDRIF), Rednex Pharmaceuticals (Respifresh TR), and Shape Pharma (ReLife). Following WHO’s findings, CDSCO has ordered an immediate suspension of production, recall of the affected batches, and revocation of product licenses for the implicated companies. Authorities have stated that there is no evidence of export of the contaminated medicines at this time.
WHO has urged all national regulatory bodies to intensify market surveillance, particularly in informal or unregulated supply chains, and to immediately report the presence of these products if found. The organization also advised health-care professionals and consumers to avoid using the named medicines and to report any adverse health reactions without delay.
The alert comes amid growing global concern over the safety of pediatric formulations, as this latest incident exposes serious gaps in quality control and manufacturing oversight within segments of the Indian pharmaceutical industry. WHO emphasized that swift and coordinated action is essential to prevent further tragedies and to restore confidence in the safety of oral liquid medicines.
