Archive · 25 Dec 2025
Tainted Cough Syrup Linked to Child Deaths
A company called Sresan Pharmaceuticals made a cough syrup called Coldrif.
This syrup was found to have a very dangerous chemical called diethylene glycol (DEG), which is not supposed to be in medicine.
Over 20 children in Madhya Pradesh died after taking this syrup.
When inspectors checked the company's factory, they found many problems, like dirty storage and bad equipment.
The company's licence was cancelled, and the owner was arrested.
Experts say the company is responsible for checking the quality of their products, and the government should do better inspections to prevent such tragedies.
Sresan Pharmaceuticals' Coldrif cough syrup linked to over 20 child deaths in Madhya Pradesh.
Inspection revealed 39 critical and 325 major violations at the manufacturing unit in Tamil Nadu.
Syrup contained 48.6% diethylene glycol (DEG), far exceeding the permissible 0.1%.
Company's manufacturing licence was cancelled, and proprietor G Ranganathan was arrested.
Experts blame outdated drug laws, poor enforcement, and lack of uniform regulations for the tragedy.
- Who
- Sresan Pharmaceuticals, a Tamil Nadu-based company
- What
- Contaminated Coldrif cough syrup linked to child deaths
- When
- 2025 (exact date not specified)
- Where
- Madhya Pradesh (deaths), Sunguvarchatram, Tamil Nadu (manufacturing unit)
- Why
- Contamination with diethylene glycol (DEG), a toxic industrial solvent
- Company
- Sresan Pharmaceuticals
- Location
- Sunguvarchatram, Tamil Nadu
- Product
- Coldrif cough syrup
- Contaminant
- Diethylene glycol (DEG)
- Deaths
- Over 20 children in Madhya Pradesh
- Inspection Findings
- 39 critical, 325 major observations
- Licence Cancellation
- 2025
- Arrested
- G Ranganathan, proprietor
