The World Health Organization has raised a global alarm regarding a tainted medication that has resulted in the deaths of a minimum of 20 children. Reports from India indicated that these youngsters, all under the age of five, passed away in central India after consuming a hazardous cough syrup. The children, residents of Madhya Pradesh, succumbed within the last month after ingesting the syrup, which contained diethylene glycol [DEG] at levels nearly 500 times above the permissible limit.
Diethylene glycol is commonly utilized as an industrial solvent or antifreeze agent and is deadly even in small doses. Indian authorities have apprehended S. Ranganathan, the owner of the company responsible for the fatal Coldrif syrup. Following a report from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) of India on October 8, the WHO has issued an alert regarding “oral liquid medicines” found in everyday cold, flu, or cough remedies. The WHO has identified specific batches of COLDRIF, Respifresh TR, and ReLife as contaminated products manufactured by Sresan Pharmaceutical, Rednex Pharmaceuticals, and Shape Pharma.
Authorities in India have instructed an immediate cessation of production at the implicated factories and have initiated a recall of the compromised items. Although there is currently no evidence of the tainted medicines being exported from India, the WHO recommends that nations consider monitoring unregulated supply chains.
The organization cautions that these products could lead to severe and potentially life-threatening illnesses, emphasizing that DEG is toxic to humans when ingested and can be lethal. Symptoms include abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, urinary retention, headache, mental impairment, acute kidney damage, and even death. Individuals who suspect exposure to the product are urged to seek prompt medical attention from healthcare professionals or contact poison control centers.
Madhya Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Health Minister Rajendra Shukla reported that “20 children have lost their lives in the unfortunate incident from Chhindwara, Betul, and Pandhurna districts.” Ranganathan, based in Tamil Nadu, was detained in Chennai and is scheduled to appear in court before being transferred to Chhindwara, as stated by the city’s superintendent of police Ajay Pandey. Local drug authorities have intensified efforts to eliminate the tainted medication from circulation by conducting random tests and initiating door-to-door visits to retrieve bottles of Coldrif.
District administrator Harendra Narayan mentioned, “We (have) got 30-40 bottles (through this means)… we (also) recalled some from retailers and stockists,” disclosing that 594 bottles of the syrup had been distributed to pharmaceutical distributors in the area over the previous six weeks. Indian drug manufacturers are obligated by law to test each batch of raw materials and final products. Since 2023, cough syrup exports have necessitated additional testing at government-approved laboratories following incidents in Gambia, Uzbekistan, and Cameroon where over 10 children died due to Indian syrups.
Indian authorities have advised against the usage of two other locally distributed syrups – Respifresh and RELIFE – produced by Shape Pharma and Rednex Pharmaceuticals in Gujarat, after tests unveiled the presence of the same toxic substance.