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Poisonous syrup on the lives of innocent people, strict action by the Center has been initiated
Nagpur/New Delhi, October 8, 2025 – On the one hand, the syrup given to children by parents believing that it will relieve cough, on the other hand, the lives of innocent children are being lost due to the same syrup! This reality is now creating a stir across the country. It has been shockingly revealed that the cough syrup 'Coldriff' manufactured in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, contains a large amount of the highly hazardous chemical diethylene glycol (DEG). At least 17 children have died in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and other states due to this poisonous syrup. The Central Government, recognizing the seriousness of the matter, has issued an immediate inquiry order and has stepped up action against the suspect companies. This case is not only a symbol of corruption in the pharmaceutical industry, but also raises a big question mark in terms of child safety.
This incident began in Chhindwara district of Madhya Pradesh. Last month, an 18-month-old girl died after being given 'Coldrif' syrup on the advice of a doctor on a complaint of cough. After her death, it was revealed that she had kidney failure. After this, it was observed that other children admitted to a local hospital were also suffering from the same problem. In the last two weeks, 11 children died in a government hospital in Chhindwara, most of whom were given a dose of 'Coldrif' or 'Nextro-DS' syrup. A test conducted by the Madhya Pradesh Drug Control Department found more than 48 percent diethylene glycol in the syrup, which is much more than the permissible 0.1 percent. This chemical is used in industrial products like paint and ink and when it enters the human body, it damages the kidneys and liver and causes direct death.
After this incident in Madhya Pradesh, a shocking case has also come to light in the city of Nagpur in Maharashtra. After being given 'Coldrif' syrup, his condition became critical and he died within 48 hours. The boy's mother said, "The doctor prescribed this syrup for cough. We trusted him, but we lost our little lamp. This syrup is not medicine, it is poison!" After the incident, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation raided local pharmacies and seized several bottles of the syrup. The Nagpur district administration has issued an immediate alert, advising doctors not to prescribe any cough syrup to children under two years of age. Other deaths due to this syrup are also coming to light in states like Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Tamil Nadu. While three children died in Rajasthan last week, the Punjab government has banned 'Coldriff' syrup outright. The Punjab Health Department has ordered all district officials not to allow any buyer, seller or medical institution to sell or use this syrup. According to a report by the Tamil Nadu Drug Control Department, the manufacturing company in Kanchipuram has mixed this hazardous chemical in the syrup to reduce costs. The company's owner, Praveen Soni, has been arrested and a case has been registered against him. The manufacturing date of this syrup is May 2025 and the expiry date is April 2027, meaning that lakhs of bottles are circulating in the market.
The central government has intervened in this matter and taken immediate steps. The Union Health Ministry has directed the National Drug Control Service (CDSCO) to inspect 'Coldrif' and related syrups and take strict action against the culprits. The ministry has issued instructions to all states, asking them to stop the sale of this syrup and provide compensation to the families of the affected children. Health Minister J.P. Nadda told Parliament, "This matter is very serious from the point of view of child safety. We have appointed an inquiry committee and the culprits will be punished. We will strengthen quality control in the pharmaceutical industry." In addition, the center has guided all doctors and pharmacists to give medicines to children only as per the doctor's advice and to verify the syrup.
This case is not limited to just one syrup, but highlights the systemic problems in the Indian pharmaceutical industry. In the past few years, there have been several incidents like the Zanzia cough syrup case, in which hundreds of children died in Asia and Africa due to diethylene glycol. Experts say that companies make profits by using unlicensed chemicals, which hit poor families the hardest. Pediatrician Dr. Sunita Patil said, "The liver and kidneys of young children are not yet fully developed. Such toxic chemicals will directly kill them. Parents should use home remedies like honey, ginger and basil and not give syrups without consulting a doctor."
In the wake of this incident, various social organizations and parents' associations have taken out rallies. A rally took out a march in Nagpur yesterday, in which affected families demanded justice. "The companies should not get away with sacrificing our children. There needs to be strict provisions in the law," said a mother. On the other hand, the Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers (OPPI) has clarified that most companies follow the rules, but some illegal manufacturers need to be clamped down on.
Ultimately, this case has sounded an alarm bell. Although the central government is investigating, the issue will remain silent until the affected families get justice and the health of the children is ensured.
Nagpur/New Delhi, October 8, 2025 – On the one hand, the syrup given to children by parents believing that it will relieve cough, on the other hand, the lives of innocent children are being lost due to the same syrup! This reality is now creating a stir across the country. It has been shockingly revealed that the cough syrup 'Coldriff' manufactured in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, contains a large amount of the highly hazardous chemical diethylene glycol (DEG). At least 17 children have died in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and other states due to this poisonous syrup. The Central Government, recognizing the seriousness of the matter, has issued an immediate inquiry order and has stepped up action against the suspect companies. This case is not only a symbol of corruption in the pharmaceutical industry, but also raises a big question mark in terms of child safety.
This incident began in Chhindwara district of Madhya Pradesh. Last month, an 18-month-old girl died after being given 'Coldrif' syrup on the advice of a doctor on a complaint of cough. After her death, it was revealed that she had kidney failure. After this, it was observed that other children admitted to a local hospital were also suffering from the same problem. In the last two weeks, 11 children died in a government hospital in Chhindwara, most of whom were given a dose of 'Coldrif' or 'Nextro-DS' syrup. A test conducted by the Madhya Pradesh Drug Control Department found more than 48 percent diethylene glycol in the syrup, which is much more than the permissible 0.1 percent. This chemical is used in industrial products like paint and ink and when it enters the human body, it damages the kidneys and liver and causes direct death.
After this incident in Madhya Pradesh, a shocking case has also come to light in the city of Nagpur in Maharashtra. After being given 'Coldrif' syrup, his condition became critical and he died within 48 hours. The boy's mother said, "The doctor prescribed this syrup for cough. We trusted him, but we lost our little lamp. This syrup is not medicine, it is poison!" After the incident, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation raided local pharmacies and seized several bottles of the syrup. The Nagpur district administration has issued an immediate alert, advising doctors not to prescribe any cough syrup to children under two years of age. Other deaths due to this syrup are also coming to light in states like Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Tamil Nadu. While three children died in Rajasthan last week, the Punjab government has banned 'Coldriff' syrup outright. The Punjab Health Department has ordered all district officials not to allow any buyer, seller or medical institution to sell or use this syrup. According to a report by the Tamil Nadu Drug Control Department, the manufacturing company in Kanchipuram has mixed this hazardous chemical in the syrup to reduce costs. The company's owner, Praveen Soni, has been arrested and a case has been registered against him. The manufacturing date of this syrup is May 2025 and the expiry date is April 2027, meaning that lakhs of bottles are circulating in the market.
The central government has intervened in this matter and taken immediate steps. The Union Health Ministry has directed the National Drug Control Service (CDSCO) to inspect 'Coldrif' and related syrups and take strict action against the culprits. The ministry has issued instructions to all states, asking them to stop the sale of this syrup and provide compensation to the families of the affected children. Health Minister J.P. Nadda told Parliament, "This matter is very serious from the point of view of child safety. We have appointed an inquiry committee and the culprits will be punished. We will strengthen quality control in the pharmaceutical industry." In addition, the center has guided all doctors and pharmacists to give medicines to children only as per the doctor's advice and to verify the syrup.
This case is not limited to just one syrup, but highlights the systemic problems in the Indian pharmaceutical industry. In the past few years, there have been several incidents like the Zanzia cough syrup case, in which hundreds of children died in Asia and Africa due to diethylene glycol. Experts say that companies make profits by using unlicensed chemicals, which hit poor families the hardest. Pediatrician Dr. Sunita Patil said, "The liver and kidneys of young children are not yet fully developed. Such toxic chemicals will directly kill them. Parents should use home remedies like honey, ginger and basil and not give syrups without consulting a doctor."
In the wake of this incident, various social organizations and parents' associations have taken out rallies. A rally took out a march in Nagpur yesterday, in which affected families demanded justice. "The companies should not get away with sacrificing our children. There needs to be strict provisions in the law," said a mother. On the other hand, the Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers (OPPI) has clarified that most companies follow the rules, but some illegal manufacturers need to be clamped down on.
Ultimately, this case has sounded an alarm bell. Although the central government is investigating, the issue will remain silent until the affected families get justice and the health of the children is ensured.
This incident began in Chhindwara district of Madhya Pradesh. Last month, an 18-month-old girl died after being given 'Coldrif' syrup on the advice of a doctor on a complaint of cough. After her death, it was revealed that she had kidney failure. After this, it was observed that other children admitted to a local hospital were also suffering from the same problem. In the last two weeks, 11 children died in a government hospital in Chhindwara, most of whom were given a dose of 'Coldrif' or 'Nextro-DS' syrup. A test conducted by the Madhya Pradesh Drug Control Department found more than 48 percent diethylene glycol in the syrup, which is much more than the permissible 0.1 percent. This chemical is used in industrial products like paint and ink and when it enters the human body, it damages the kidneys and liver and causes direct death.
After this incident in Madhya Pradesh, a shocking case has also come to light in the city of Nagpur in Maharashtra. After being given 'Coldrif' syrup, his condition became critical and he died within 48 hours. The boy's mother said, "The doctor prescribed this syrup for cough. We trusted him, but we lost our little lamp. This syrup is not medicine, it is poison!" After the incident, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation raided local pharmacies and seized several bottles of the syrup. The Nagpur district administration has issued an immediate alert, advising doctors not to prescribe any cough syrup to children under two years of age. Other deaths due to this syrup are also coming to light in states like Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Tamil Nadu. While three children died in Rajasthan last week, the Punjab government has banned 'Coldriff' syrup outright. The Punjab Health Department has ordered all district officials not to allow any buyer, seller or medical institution to sell or use this syrup. According to a report by the Tamil Nadu Drug Control Department, the manufacturing company in Kanchipuram has mixed this hazardous chemical in the syrup to reduce costs. The company's owner, Praveen Soni, has been arrested and a case has been registered against him. The manufacturing date of this syrup is May 2025 and the expiry date is April 2027, meaning that lakhs of bottles are circulating in the market.
The central government has intervened in this matter and taken immediate steps. The Union Health Ministry has directed the National Drug Control Service (CDSCO) to inspect 'Coldrif' and related syrups and take strict action against the culprits. The ministry has issued instructions to all states, asking them to stop the sale of this syrup and provide compensation to the families of the affected children. Health Minister J.P. Nadda told Parliament, "This matter is very serious from the point of view of child safety. We have appointed an inquiry committee and the culprits will be punished. We will strengthen quality control in the pharmaceutical industry." In addition, the center has guided all doctors and pharmacists to give medicines to children only as per the doctor's advice and to verify the syrup.
This case is not limited to just one syrup, but highlights the systemic problems in the Indian pharmaceutical industry. In the past few years, there have been several incidents like the Zanzia cough syrup case, in which hundreds of children died in Asia and Africa due to diethylene glycol. Experts say that companies make profits by using unlicensed chemicals, which hit poor families the hardest. Pediatrician Dr. Sunita Patil said, "The liver and kidneys of young children are not yet fully developed. Such toxic chemicals will directly kill them. Parents should use home remedies like honey, ginger and basil and not give syrups without consulting a doctor."
In the wake of this incident, various social organizations and parents' associations have taken out rallies. A rally took out a march in Nagpur yesterday, in which affected families demanded justice. "The companies should not get away with sacrificing our children. There needs to be strict provisions in the law," said a mother. On the other hand, the Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers (OPPI) has clarified that most companies follow the rules, but some illegal manufacturers need to be clamped down on.
Ultimately, this case has sounded an alarm bell. Although the central government is investigating, the issue will remain silent until the affected families get justice and the health of the children is ensured.
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