NEW DELHI, Oct 5: Three Indian states have banned the sale of Coldrif cough syrup after at least nine children died in Madhya Pradesh, allegedly after consuming the medicine, prompting a nationwide investigation and renewed scrutiny of India's pharmaceutical safety standards.

The Indian Health Ministry confirmed in a statement on Saturday that test samples of the syrup, manufactured by Sresan Pharma in Tamil Nadu, were found to contain diethylene glycol (DEG) — a highly toxic industrial solvent. “The samples are found to contain DEG beyond the permissible limit,” the ministry said.

DEG, used in industrial applications such as antifreeze and brake fluids, is lethal if ingested, even in small quantities. It has been linked to multiple mass poisoning incidents worldwide.

The deaths were reported in Madhya Pradesh, where Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced a full ban on the sale of Coldrif syrup and other products manufactured by Sresan Pharma. “The sale of this syrup has been banned throughout Madhya Pradesh,” Yadav said. He added that further action against the company was underway.

Neighboring southern states Tamil Nadu, where the manufacturer is based, and Kerala have also banned the sale of the syrup, according to local media reports. Meanwhile, the government of Telangana issued a public alert warning citizens against using Coldrif, The Hindu reported.

The Ministry stated that while three out of 13 syrup samples tested by the Madhya Pradesh Food and Drug Administration (MPFDA) showed no contamination, Tamil Nadu’s drug regulator later confirmed DEG presence in samples collected directly from Sresan Pharma’s plant in Kanchipuram.

The company has not yet responded to requests for comment.

Following the incident, the Health Ministry has launched inspections at 19 pharmaceutical manufacturing units across six states, focusing on identifying potential lapses in quality control and recommending corrective actions to prevent future tragedies.

The case has reignited global concern over India’s pharmaceutical oversight. India, which supplies around 20% of the world’s generic medicines, has faced similar controversies in recent years.

In 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) linked cough syrups made by another Indian manufacturer to the deaths of 70 children in The Gambia — a finding New Delhi disputed. In 2023, the WHO again issued warnings regarding two India-made syrups after Uzbekistan reported 18 child deaths allegedly caused by toxic formulations.

In total, five global warnings related to Indian-manufactured medicines were issued within 10 months, including one in Iraq, where medications were found to be contaminated with toxic substances.

According to the Press Information Bureau (PIB), India’s pharmaceutical industry ranks third globally by volume, producing affordable generic alternatives once branded drug patents expire.

A 2011 study published in the Indian Journal of Pharmacology found that while generic medicines are five to six times cheaper than branded versions, they generally matched in quality — though recent incidents suggest gaps remain in manufacturing safety and oversight.

Authorities say the investigation into the recent deaths is ongoing, with further action expected based on the findings.