Hyderabad: India’s health authorities have expanded the Coldrif cough syrup ban after reports linked the medicine to multiple child deaths. Tamil Nadu first restricted the syrup, followed by Madhya Pradesh and Kerala after 10 children died in Chhindwara within a month.
Coldrif cough syrup was made in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu. Laboratory tests revealed dangerously high diethylene glycol levels, making it poisonous. Madhya Pradesh’s Drug Controller Dinesh Maurya confirmed that kidney failure was the main cause of death.
India launches drug safety inspection drive
The CDSCO, under the Health Ministry, has started checking 19 pharmaceutical facilities in six states to locate manufacturing lapses. The nationwide review began on October 3.
In Rajasthan, two child deaths linked to a different cough syrup from Kasons Pharma led the state government to ban all its 19 medicines. Drug Controller Rajaram Sharma was suspended for failing to act earlier.
The Union government also issued an advisory warning against giving cough syrup to children below two years. It urged parents and doctors to ensure proper dosage and monitoring for any child below five.
