-
16:30
-
16:00
-
15:30
-
15:20
-
15:00
-
14:40
-
14:40
-
14:31
-
14:15
Follow us on Facebook
India bans cough syrup after deaths of at least nine children
Three Indian states have banned the sale of a cough syrup produced by Sresan Pharma after the deaths of at least nine children under the age of five. Laboratory tests revealed that the medicine was contaminated with diethylene glycol (DEG) — a highly toxic chemical that can be fatal even in small quantities.
According to India’s federal health ministry, the analyzed samples contained DEG levels far above the permissible limit. The contaminated batch was manufactured in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, and the syrup was distributed mainly in Madhya Pradesh, where most of the deaths occurred.
“The sale of this syrup has been banned across Madhya Pradesh, and all other products from the same manufacturer have also been suspended,” said Mohan Yadav, the state’s chief minister. Authorities in Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan have taken similar action.
This tragedy has reignited concerns about drug safety and quality control in India’s pharmaceutical sector, which is one of the world’s largest exporters of generic medicines. In recent years, several Indian-made syrups have been linked to child deaths abroad, including in Gambia (2022) and Uzbekistan (2023). Health authorities are now urging stricter supervision of production standards to prevent further incidents.