New Delhi, Oct 9 — India faces a growing crisis after a toxic cough syrup kills 22 children.
The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has told the World Health Organization (WHO) that the three syrups linked to the deaths—Coldrif, Respifresh TR and ReLife—were not exported from India.
The WHO asked India for details after several children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan died from kidney failure and brain inflammation after taking Coldrif. The agency wanted to know if the dangerous syrups were sent abroad.
CDSCO confirmed that the three products contain diethylene glycol (DEG), a deadly chemical. Coldrif from Sresan Pharma (Tamil Nadu) had 48.6 % DEG, Respifresh TR from Rednex Pharmaceuticals (Gujarat) had 1.34 %, and ReLife from Shape Pharma (Gujarat) had 0.62 %.
The WHO offered “condolences” to affected families and promised help to investigate and manage the tragedy. It also warned that the source of the DEG pollution was still unknown and that contaminated medicines might reach other countries through unregulated channels.
India has shut the drug plant in Kanchipuram (Tamil Nadu) and several states—Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Arunachal Pradesh—have banned Coldrif. Telangana, Karnataka and Maharashtra have issued warnings instead.
Health officials also urged doctors and pharmacists to be cautious with cough medicines in children. The Director General of Health Services, Dr. Sunita Sharma, told states that medications for cough and cold should not be given to kids under two unless a doctor carefully checks the dose and monitors them closely.
The incident highlights a regulatory gap in testing for DEG and other harmful substances in Indian medicines and stresses the need for stricter oversight in the domestic market.
Source: ianslive
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
