Many states ban cough syrup after tests find toxic chemical

Samples of a cough syrup believed to have led to the deaths of 11 children in Madhya Pradesh showed high concentration of toxic chemicals, officials in Tamil Nadu, where the company’s manufacturing unit is based, said on Saturday — prompting several states to hurriedly announce bans.

- Shruti Tomar, Senjuti Sengupta and Aparnesh Goswami

The contamination was detected in Coldrif syrup manufactured at a facility in Kancheepuram district. Madhya Pradesh Drug Controller DK Maurya said the concentration of diethylene glycol, or DEG, was found to be over 48% compared to the permissible limit of just 0.1%. “The concentration is extremely dangerous,” he said.

A team from Tamil Nadu’s Food Safety and Drug Administration department had conducted an inspection at the pharmaceutical company’s facility last week and collected samples for testing. The results were announced on Saturday. “Test samples have been found adulterated. We have sought an explanation from the manufacturer. Until further orders, the production will be stopped at the facility,” a Tamil Nadu drug administration official told PTI on Saturday. “Until the company gives us a satisfactory explanation, the production at the factory will be halted.”

Tamil Nadu banned the sale of Coldrif with effect from October 1 and ordered removal of stocks from the market. The syrup has been supplied to Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Puducherry, the official said. Rajasthan, Kerala and MP separately announced they had banned the medicine.