Kerala bans Coldrif syrup sale following alleged link to MP, Rajasthan child deaths

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government on Saturday banned the sale of Coldrif syrup following reports linking the cough syrup to the recent deaths of children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. At least nine children in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara district died of suspected kidney infection after consuming the syrup since September 7. Two similar cases were reported in Rajasthan, involving dextromethorphan-based formulations.

The syrup, manufactured in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, was found to be “not of standard quality” and “adulterated with diethylene glycol” by the Tamil Nadu Government Drugs Testing Laboratory. Following this, the state’s Drugs Control Department immediately ordered the suspension of production at the facility. However, the Union Health Ministry clarified on Friday that subsequent tests confirmed the cough syrups linked to the deaths in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan did not contain contaminants (diethylene glycol or ethylene glycol) known to cause serious kidney injury.

In Kerala, the action was taken after reports surfaced of issues with batch number SR13 of Coldrif syrup. Health Minister Veena George said the batch in question was not distributed in Kerala, but the sale and distribution of the syrup were halted as a precaution.

“The Drug Controller has instructed all inspectors to stop the distribution and sale of Coldrif syrup across the state,” the minister said in a statement. The syrup was distributed in Kerala through eight agencies, all of which have now been directed to suspend sales. Pharmacies have also been ordered to stop dispensing the product.

Statewide inspections are underway, and samples of Coldrif syrup and other cough syrups have been collected for testing. The Drug Control Department has also been directed to test medicines produced by the five companies manufacturing cough syrups in Kerala.

As per the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) guidelines, doctors are barred from prescribing cough syrups to children below two years of age. Pharmacies have been instructed not to dispense such medicines even with a prescription and to ensure strict monitoring when providing them to children above five years old.

Meanwhile, the Madhya Pradesh government also banned the sale of Coldrif syrup and other products from the same manufacturer on Saturday. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said strict action has been initiated following the inquiry report received from Tamil Nadu. The Rajasthan government suspended the distribution of all cough syrups containing dextromethorphan. Thirteen children, including eight from Chhindwara and Nagpur, are currently undergoing treatment in Madhya Pradesh, according to national media reports.