Centre launches pan-India crackdown on cough syrups; pharma owner arrested in TN

Three syrups—Coldrif (Sresan Pharma, Tamil Nadu), Respifresh TR (Shape Pharma, Gujarat) and ReLife (Rednex Pharmaceuticals, Gujarat)—recalled; production halted; none exported

- OUR CORRESPONDENT

In the wake of the deaths of more than 20 children in Madhya Pradesh allegedly linked to contaminated cough syrups, Indian authorities have launched a sweeping national investigation targeting pharmaceutical companies involved in the manufacture of these medicines.

The central drug regulator, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), has initiated a pan-India drive to test, inspect, and audit cough syrup manufacturers, while also recalling multiple brands and instructing states to provide detailed lists of companies for monitoring. Meanwhile, the police have arrested G Ranganathan, owner of Tamil Nadu-based Sresan Pharma, which manufactured the contaminated cough syrup Coldrif.

The CDSCO has informed the World Health Organisation (WHO) that three cough syrup brands—Coldrif (manufactured by Sresan Pharma, Tamil Nadu), Respifresh TR (Shape Pharma, Gujarat), and ReLife (Rednex Pharmaceuticals, Gujarat)—have been recalled and that manufacturers have been ordered to halt their production immediately.

Official sources confirmed that none of these products were exported from India. The WHO, which had requested information regarding potential international distribution, has been closely monitoring reports of paediatric illnesses and deaths in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

‘The children affected displayed symptoms consistent with acute renal failure and acute encephalitis syndrome, raising concerns that the illnesses were linked to consumption of the adulterated oral syrup medicines. WHO sources noted that the agency has yet to receive definitive information on the source of diethylene glycol (DEG) contamination, the toxic chemical suspected to have caused the deaths. The global health agency expressed concern over the potential risk of contaminated products being exported via unregulated channels and highlighted the existing regulatory gaps in DEG and ethylene glycol screening for medicines marketed domestically.