Telangana drugs control issues public alert against two cough syrups

The Telangana Drugs Control Administration on Wednesday issued a public alert warning citizens to immediately stop using two cough syrups found to co ntain a toxic substance.

The alert follows a laboratory report from the Madhya Pradesh Drug Testing Laboratory in Bhopal, which identified the presence of Diethylene Glycol (DEG) in the medicines. DEG is a highly poisonous chemical that can cause severe kidney and liver damage, neurological problems, and even death if ingested, particularly in children. Health authorities have emphasized that any cough syrup containing DEG poses a serious health risk.

The affected syrups are ‘Relife’ (Batch No.: LSL25160) and ‘Respifresh TR’ (Batch No.: R01GL2523), both manufactured by pharmaceutical companies based in Gujarat. The Drugs Control Administration has advised the public to stop using these products immediately and report any stock in their possession to the nearest Drugs Control Authority for proper disposal.

This alert comes shortly after the administration, on October 4, issued a similar warning against ‘Coldrif’ cough syrup, following 20 child deaths in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan allegedly linked to its consumption. Authorities have urged parents, caregivers, and pharmacists to exercise extreme caution while buying or administering cough medicines, especially to children.

The Drugs Control Administration has assured the public that strict action will be taken against manufacturers and distributors of adulterated medicines. Citizens are urged to stay vigilant, check batch numbers carefully, and avoid using any suspicious products. Health officials stress that preventing access to toxic medicines is critical to ensuring the safety of children and the wider community.