Archive · 21 Nov 2025
Cough Syrup Deaths: Indian Officials Investigate Safety Lapses
Many children in India got sick and died after drinking cough syrup that had a bad chemical in it.
The government is now looking into how this happened, focusing on problems with how the medicine was made and the chemicals used in it.
The company that made the syrup has been shut down, and the owner is in jail.
At least 24 children died after consuming contaminated cough syrup in India
Investigation focuses on safety lapses in the supply of a pharmaceutical ingredient
Contaminated solvent used in cough syrup production suspected as cause of death
Sresan Pharmaceutical Manufacturer's license revoked, founder arrested
Global pharmaceutical safety practices breached in chemical delivery to Sresan
- Who
- Children in India, Sresan Pharmaceutical Manufacturer, Sunrise Biotech, Jinkushal Aroma
- What
- Deaths due to contaminated cough syrup
- When
- Fatalities began in September, investigation ongoing
- Where
- Tamil Nadu, India
- Why
- Safety lapses in pharmaceutical ingredient supply and production
Government and Health Officials
Chemical Suppliers
Responsibility for contamination
Government and Health Officials
Investigating suppliers' role in contamination and breaches in safety practices
Chemical Suppliers
Suppliers deny knowledge of contamination and handling of toxic DEG
- Number of deaths
- At least 24 children
- Contaminant
- Diethylene glycol (DEG)
- Suspected cause
- Contaminated solvent in cough syrup production
- Company involved
- Sresan Pharmaceutical Manufacturer
- Status of Sresan's license
- Revoked
- Status of Sresan's founder
- Arrested
- Previous penalties
- Yes, including imprisonment and fines
