WHO Warns Against Toxic Indian Cough Syrups After Child Deaths in Madhya Pradesh

🔹STORY (BBC-Standard Rewrite):
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued an urgent warning after three cough syrups produced in India were linked to the deaths of several children in the central state of Madhya Pradesh.

The global health body said laboratory analysis revealed dangerously high levels of diethylene glycol (DEG) — a toxic chemical that can cause kidney failure and death — in certain batches of the syrups Coldrif, Respifresh TR, and ReLife.

According to WHO, the medicines were manufactured by three Indian firms: Sresan Pharmaceutical, Rednex Pharmaceuticals, and Shape Pharma. Indian authorities have since halted production at all three facilities and suspended their product authorizations. The contaminated syrups have been recalled domestically, and the agency said there is currently no evidence of export.

“We urge regulatory authorities worldwide to remain alert to oral liquid medications produced by these firms since December 2024,” the WHO stated, calling for tighter scrutiny of unregulated drug supply chains.

Local officials in Tamil Nadu — where Sresan Pharmaceuticals is based — confirmed that the company’s license has been revoked and its owner arrested. Two senior drug inspectors in Kanchipuram were also suspended for negligence after failing to carry out mandatory factory inspections.

Authorities said at least 19 children in Chhindwara district, Madhya Pradesh, died after consuming Coldrif syrup.

“It started with a cough and cold, followed by kidney failure symptoms that led to deaths,” district superintendent Ajau Pandey told reporters, confirming that tests found “higher than permissible limits” of DEG in the medicines.

Police have also opened a case against a doctor accused of prescribing the contaminated drugs.

This marks another major pharmaceutical scandal for India, the world’s largest exporter of generic medicines. Similar toxic syrup incidents in The Gambia and Uzbekistan in 2023 killed dozens of children and sparked international outrage over India’s drug quality controls.

The WHO said the latest cluster of child deaths was identified in late September and urged countries to strengthen post-market surveillance to prevent further tragedies.