WHO Raises Alarm Over Toxic Cough Syrup in India
The recent deaths of 17 children in India due to a toxic cough syrup have raised serious concerns among health authorities. These tragic incidents stem from the consumption of a cough syrup called “Coldrif,” which was found to contain diethylene glycol in concentrations nearly 500 times the permissible limit. This alarming discovery has led to the immediate ban of Coldrif and a review of the manufacturing license of Sresan Pharmaceutical, the producer of this deadly syrup.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed deep concern over the situation, highlighting a “regulatory gap” in India’s screening of medicines for harmful chemicals. While India has assured that there were no exports of the contaminated batches, the WHO warns that the possibility of unrecorded shipments cannot be entirely dismissed. They emphasize the urgent need for stricter testing protocols for diethylene glycol (DEG) and ethylene glycol (EG) in both raw materials and finished products.
Indian law mandates that pharmaceutical companies thoroughly test each batch of both raw materials and final products. However, it appears that these regulations have not been followed in the cases leading to these tragic deaths. In response, Indian regulators have expanded their inspections to 19 manufacturing units across six states, with companies like Shape Pharma and Rednex Pharmaceuticals now under scrutiny for potential violations.
In Gujarat, a key pharmaceutical hub, officials have reported substandard quality in some cough syrup samples. Meanwhile, at Sresan’s facility in Tamil Nadu, inspectors found the factory deserted, with numerous syrup bottles abandoned and a lingering chemical odor in the air. This raises serious questions about the accountability of pharmaceutical manufacturers in India.
The police are investigating potential criminal liabilities, including charges of manslaughter. This crisis is not isolated; it echoes similar cases from recent years where Indian-made cough syrups have been linked to child fatalities in various countries, including Gambia and Uzbekistan.
As India’s pharmaceutical industry, the third largest in the world, faces scrutiny, it must work to restore trust among global partners. The need for internal reforms is evident, and the industry must reassure the world of its commitment to safety and quality in medicine production. Only through immediate and transparent actions, including strict batch-by-batch testing and accountability measures, can India prevent future tragedies and protect its most vulnerable populations.
