India Launches Criminal Proceedings Against Cough Syrup Maker Linked to Deaths of 10 Children
Indian authorities have initiated criminal proceedings against a cough syrup manufacturer after tests found dangerously high levels of a toxic chemical in its product, which has been linked to the deaths of ten children.
India—often referred to as the “pharmacy of the world”—has faced growing scrutiny over the quality of its pharmaceutical exports, following similar incidents in Cameroon, The Gambia, and Uzbekistan, where contaminated Indian-made cough syrups were linked to child fatalities.
A report from a state drug laboratory reviewed by Reuters revealed that one sample of Coldrif cough syrup contained 46.28% diethylene glycol, a poisonous substance commonly used in industrial products such as antifreeze. The permissible limit is just 0.1%. The deaths occurred in the central state of Madhya Pradesh.
Police have filed criminal charges against Shri Sain Pharma, a manufacturer based in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, as well as a local doctor.
“The doctor who prescribed the syrup has been arrested,” said Rajendra Shukla, the state’s deputy chief minister, speaking to the ANI news agency.
The company faces charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, adulteration of drugs, and violations of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act related to the manufacture and sale of contaminated pharmaceuticals.
The Health Ministry said regulatory action has also been taken against one of the company’s facilities and that the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has recommended revoking its manufacturing license. It did not provide further details.
Shri Sain Pharma did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment.
If convicted, the company and its officials could face hefty fines and life imprisonment.
Neighboring states, including Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, have also banned the sale of the cough syrup.
The Health Ministry has urged the “rational use” of cough syrups for children, advising medical professionals to prescribe and dispense such medicines only when strictly necessary. The ministry noted that most cough-related illnesses in children resolve on their own without medication.
According to India’s drug regulator, the country supplies 40% of the generic medicines used in the United States, 25% in the United Kingdom, and over 90% in several African nations—a scale that underscores the global impact of India’s pharmaceutical safety standards.
Continuing the achievement of the journey of effectiveness and credibility of more than 10 years in the career of journalism, as a woman journalist, I am Serving as the founder, promoter and editor of DiaryTimes with the trust and support of all. My credible coverage may not have given a big shape to the numbers, but my journey presents articles that make you aware of the exact and meaningful situations of Himachal’s politics, ground issues related to the public, business, tourism and the difficult geographical conditions of the state and financial awareness. DiaryTimes, full of the experience of my precise editorial expertise, is awakening the flame of credible journalism among all of you, so that the eternal flame of meaningful change can be lit in the life of the people of the state and the atrocities being committed against the people can be brought to the fore, I am motivated for that. If even a small change comes with the power of my journalism and the whole world becomes a witness to that issues, then I will consider myself fortunate.
