Srinagar: The death of children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan due to the alleged consumption of toxic coldrif cough syrup is currently causing a stir across the country. On the other hand, the Jammu and Kashmir Drug and Food Control Organisation (DFCO) has immediately banned the sale, distribution and use of three cough syrup brands, including Coldrif syrup.
The ban was imposed after three cough syrup brands, including colderf syrup, were lab-tasted. These drugs were not declared of standard quality due to toxic impurities after investigation.
The move comes after a warning from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), which comes under the Union Health Ministry, found that the amount of diethylene glycol (DEG) in the syrup exceeds the permissible limit. It is a chemical known to damage kidney failure and other organs. Due to this, many children have already died in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
According to a public notice issued by the State Drug Controller’s Office, the affected formulations are relief syrup (ambroxol hydrochloride, guifenesin, terbuteline sulphate and menthol) manufactured by Shep Pharma Pvt Ltd, Gujarat. It is marketed by Leo Life Science Private Limited, Ahmedabad.
Respyfresh-TR syrup (bromhexine hydrochloride, terbutylene sulphate, guifenacin and menthol) manufactured by Rednex Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Ahmedabad and marketed by Smartway Wellness Pvt Ltd, Sanand. Koldrif syrup (paracetamol, phenylephrine hydrochloride and chlorpheniramine maliate) produced by Shreesan Pharmaceuticals, Tamil Nadu.
Testing conducted by the Drug Testing Laboratory, Food and Drug Administration, Madhya Pradesh revealed that samples of these syrups failed quality testing due to high levels of diethylene glycol. Due to which the central and state drug control bodies had to issue guidelines immediately.
Terming the matter as serious, Joint Drugs Controller Purnima Kabo said these products have been linked to child deaths in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. Therefore, immediate concrete action is necessary in Jammu and Kashmir.
The official circular states, “As a precaution and proactive measure, drug wholesalers, retailers, distributors, registered physicians, hospitals and healthcare institutions are directed to immediately stop the purchase, sale and use of these drugs notwithstanding all batches until further notice.”
The DFCO has also ordered all drug vendors and medical institutions in Jammu and Kashmir to inform the Jammu and Kashmir State Drug Controller Office through email at jk.drugscontroller@jk.gov.in about the remaining stock of the banned syrup.
Following the alert issued regarding the coldrif syrup, a similar operation has been initiated in several Indian states after at least 14 children allegedly died from the consumption of the drug in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara and Betul districts. Following the incident, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh banned its sale, while states like Goa, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand also imposed restrictions.
No cases related to Colderiff have been reported in Jammu and Kashmir so far, but the situation has brought back memories of the tragedy in Udhampur in 2020, where 12 children died from drinking Coldbest-PC. This was another cough syrup that was later found to be contaminated with diethylene glycol.
Medical experts say diethylene glycol (DEG) poisoning, especially for children, can cause severe kidney failure, neurological damage, and death. “A senior health official in Srinagar said, “”Where medical supervision and laboratory testing are limited, even a small contaminated batch can give catastrophic results.”””
