The Indian government has banned three cough syrup brands — Coldrif, Respifresh TR, and Relief — after tests revealed the presence of highly toxic diethylene glycol, a chemical known to cause kidney failure and fatal poisoning, especially in children.
The move follows a tragic series of reports linking the syrups to 22 child deaths across India in the past month, allegedly tied to the consumption of Coldrif syrup. Drug regulators have ordered an immediate halt to production, sale, and distribution of the affected brands.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has sought detailed information from India about the syrups and their export data, given the country’s status as one of the largest global suppliers of generic medicines. Authorities, however, clarified that the contaminated products were not exported abroad.
Among the banned syrups, Respifresh TR, made by Gujarat-based Rednex Pharmaceuticals, contained 1.342% diethylene glycol, while Relief syrup contained 0.616% — both exceeding safe limits. The Respifresh TR batch was manufactured in January 2025 and set to expire in December 2026.
Health officials have urged the public to immediately discontinue use of these syrups and return any purchased bottles to medical stores. Meanwhile, a nationwide probe is underway to trace the source of contamination and strengthen oversight in India’s pharmaceutical manufacturing processes.
This latest crackdown highlights growing international concerns over drug safety and quality control, underscoring India’s urgent need for stricter monitoring to prevent future tragedies.
