Cough Syrup Deaths in MP, Rajasthan: WHO Flags Coldrif, Respifresh TR, and ReLife as Contaminated Drugs
A major health scare has shaken India after the World Health Organization (WHO) flagged three Indian-manufactured cough syrups — Coldrif, Respifresh TR, and ReLife — as “contaminated and unsafe” following the deaths of several children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. The alert has reignited global scrutiny over India’s pharmaceutical exports and domestic drug safety standards.
The WHO flags contaminated cough syrups report warns that the products contain diethylene glycol (DEG) and ethylene glycol (EG) — toxic substances that can cause kidney failure, brain swelling, and even death when consumed.
WHO’s Medical Alert and Findings
In a detailed medical product alert released this week, the WHO stated that laboratory testing of samples from both Madhya Pradesh’s Ujjain district and Rajasthan’s Barmer region confirmed the presence of dangerous chemical impurities.
“These syrups are unsafe and their use should be immediately stopped. Manufacturers and distributors must be identified and withdrawn from the market,” the WHO said in its statement.
The organization urged health authorities in India and neighboring countries to increase pharmacovigilance, recalling the products from circulation and ensuring that contaminated batches do not reach consumers.
The Cough Syrup Tragedy
According to official reports, at least 17 children in Madhya Pradesh and 9 in Rajasthan have died in recent weeks after consuming these cough syrups. Most of the victims were below the age of 10 and were being treated for common colds and fevers.
Initial medical investigations suggested a pattern of acute kidney failure, prompting doctors to send samples of the medicines to central laboratories for chemical analysis. The results confirmed toxic contamination, leading to WHO’s intervention.
Parents of the victims have demanded strict accountability from state and central authorities, with protests erupting outside hospitals in Ujjain and Barmer.
Drugs Named in WHO Alert
The WHO alert identified three specific products under scrutiny:
- Coldrif Syrup – Manufactured by Trillium Pharma, a small-scale producer based in Indore, MP.
- Respifresh TR – A locally distributed syrup supplied to private hospitals across Rajasthan.
- ReLife Cough Syrup – Marketed as a pediatric medicine and widely available in central India.
All three brands are being investigated for violating India’s drug safety regulations under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
India’s Response: Nationwide Investigation Ordered
The Union Health Ministry has ordered an immediate multi-state investigation into the contamination and suspended production at the implicated facilities. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) is coordinating with the State Drug Controllers of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan to collect additional samples and verify supply chains.
A senior CDSCO official told reporters:
“We are treating this as a case of gross negligence. Samples have been sent for secondary testing. If contamination is confirmed, manufacturing licenses will be cancelled and criminal action will follow.”
Pattern of Recurring Incidents
The WHO flags contaminated cough syrups warning comes less than two years after similar tragedies in Gambia, Uzbekistan, and Cameroon, where Indian-made cough syrups were linked to the deaths of over 300 children. Those incidents had prompted global calls for tighter quality control within India’s $50 billion pharmaceutical industry.
Public health experts now warn that these repeated occurrences could damage India’s reputation as the “pharmacy of the developing world.”
Dr. Aruna Mehta, a pharmaceutical analyst, noted:
“India produces one in three generic medicines consumed globally. If domestic oversight fails, these incidents could have long-term consequences for trust in Indian exports.”
Chemical Contamination Explained
Both diethylene glycol (DEG) and ethylene glycol (EG) are industrial solvents sometimes illegally substituted for glycerin, a common ingredient used in syrups to maintain smooth texture. While cheaper, these chemicals are highly toxic, and ingestion can lead to vomiting, convulsions, coma, or multi-organ failure within days.
Laboratories confirmed that the levels of DEG and EG in the flagged syrups were several hundred times higher than safe limits, explaining the severe reactions in affected children.
Public Health Reactions and Policy Implications
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) and the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) have both issued advisories to stop prescribing the mentioned brands and to monitor children who may have consumed the products. Hospitals have been instructed to report any cases of acute renal symptoms possibly linked to syrup ingestion.
Meanwhile, public outcry has grown online, with hashtags like #CoughSyrupDeaths and #WHOAlertIndia trending on social media. Citizens are calling for stricter inspection systems, greater transparency from manufacturers, and criminal accountability for negligence.
A Wake-Up Call for India’s Drug Oversight System
The WHO flags contaminated cough syrups alert has once again put the spotlight on India’s need for robust regulatory mechanisms. Experts argue that random inspections, poor lab infrastructure, and underfunded regulatory bodies contribute to recurring safety lapses.
The government has since announced plans to introduce mandatory QR-based traceability codes for all liquid medicines by 2026 to improve tracking and accountability.
Conclusion
As India grapples with the aftermath of the cough syrup deaths in MP and Rajasthan, the global health community is demanding urgent reform. The WHO flags contaminated cough syrups warning serves as both a tragedy and a lesson — that pharmaceutical success must always be matched with uncompromising safety standards.
Until the investigation concludes, the affected states have suspended the sale of all three syrups, urging doctors and pharmacists to exercise utmost caution.
For grieving families, however, the damage is already done. The hope now is that such a tragedy is never repeated.