MP Coldrif cough syrup death toll rises to 20, protests erupt

The tragic deaths of 20 children in Madhya Pradesh have been linked to the consumption of Coldrif cough syrup, Deputy Chief Minister and Health Minister Rajendra Shukla confirmed on Wednesday. Of the victims, 17 were from Chhindwara, two from Betul, and one from Pandhurna. Five children are still undergoing treatment in Nagpur.

In response, the Madhya Pradesh government has banned the sale, distribution, and use of Coldrif syrup statewide. Police teams have been dispatched to Chennai and Kanchipuram to apprehend the owners of the manufacturing company, Sresan Pharmaceuticals. The government is covering all medical expenses for affected children and has deployed a joint team of executive magistrates and doctors in Nagpur to ensure proper treatment and continuous monitoring. Shukla also urged doctors not to go on strike and to follow Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) guidelines, advising against prescribing cough syrup to children under four.

Laboratory tests revealed that the Coldrif syrup contained diethylene glycol (DEG), a toxic chemical used in antifreeze and industrial products, which can cause acute kidney failure when ingested. In this case, the DEG levels were nearly 500 times above the permissible limit, making the syrup extremely dangerous for children.

Earlier incidents in other parts of India have shown similar risks. In the past, contaminated cough syrups have led to child fatalities in states like Uttar Pradesh, highlighting recurring gaps in regulatory oversight. Investigations into Sresan Pharmaceuticals revealed that the company operated without proper inspection for 14 years, with poor hygiene and non-compliance with mandatory drug manufacturing standards.

Dr. Praveen Soni, a government pediatrician in Chhindwara, was arrested after being accused of prescribing Coldrif syrup to young patients. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has protested his arrest, stating that he followed standard medical procedures and warning of an indefinite strike if their demands are not met.

The Coldrif tragedy underscores the urgent need for stringent quality control in the pharmaceutical industry and more vigilant regulatory enforcement to prevent such avoidable deaths. Authorities are investigating whether the contaminated syrup was exported and conducting inspections across multiple states, while considering canceling the manufacturer’s license.