WHO issues alert for 3 Indian cough syrups including Coldrif

New Delhi: The World Health Organisation on Tuesday listed three adulterated syrups manufactured in India, including the Coldrif cough syrup, which is responsible for several pediatric deaths. It urged authorities worldwide to report to the agency if they detect these products in their countries.

The move comes weeks after several children in Madhya Pradesh died after consuming the adulterated syrup. 

Specific batches of Coldrif from Sresan Pharmaceuticals, Respifresh TR from Rednex Pharmaceuticals, and ReLife from Shape Pharma have been identified by the WHO as the affected medicines, warning that they could cause severe and potentially life-threatening illnesses.

The Coldrif syrup caused widespread alarm after it was linked to several pediatric deaths caused by the dangerously high levels of toxic diethylene glycol (DEG) found in it.

Tests revealed DEG concentrations exceeding 48 per cent, far above the permissible limit of 0.1 per cent. Following this, the manufacturing license of Sresan Pharmaceuticals was revoked, and its owner, G. Ranganathan, was arrested.

A comprehensive inspection of other drug manufacturing companies across the state was also ordered to identify potential lapses in quality control.

The Central government also issued an advisory to all states and union territories, urging extreme caution in prescribing cough syrups for children and stating that such medications should not be prescribed to children below two years of age. It also suggests that they are generally not recommended for those under five.

(Using IANS inputs)