WHO Warns of Deadly Indian Cough Syrups Containing Diethylene Glycol

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning regarding batches of dangerous cold and cough syrups identified in India, according to the press service of the Center for Pharmaceutical Product Safety.

The syrups in question—COLDRIF, Respifresh TR, and ReLife—produced by Sresan Pharmaceutical, Rednex Pharmaceuticals, and Shape Pharma, were found to contain diethylene glycol (DEG) impurities. The concentration of the substance exceeded permissible levels by nearly 500 times.

Diethylene glycol is highly toxic when ingested and can be fatal. Consumption of these products, especially by children, poses a serious risk to life and health.

The presence of DEG in the syrups was reported on October 8 by India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO). Earlier, WHO had noted local outbreaks of acute illness and child fatalities in India. According to CDSCO, the affected children had taken the contaminated syrups. Indian authorities have ordered an immediate halt to the production of these medications.

At least 20 child deaths have been reported so far in the Indian states of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan following consumption of these syrups. According to BBC News, most of the fatal cases in Madhya Pradesh involved children under five years old who had taken COLDRIF.

CDSCO informed WHO that the contaminated products had not been exported outside India and that there are currently no indications of illegal exports.

However, WHO cautioned that such medications could reach other countries through unregulated channels and recommended strengthening oversight of their distribution.

On 15 October, the Center for Pharmaceutical Product Safety of Uzbekistan reported that COLDRIF, produced by Sresan Pharma, had not been registered in the country.