Archive · 21 Nov 2025
India Investigates Cough Syrup Deaths; Mandates QR Code Reporting
In India, many children have died from cough syrup contaminated with a toxic chemical.
Officials are investigating how this happened.
To improve medicine safety, pharmacies now have to show a QR code and toll-free number so people can easily report any bad reactions they have to medicines.
At least 24 children died from contaminated cough syrup in India
Investigation focuses on safety lapses in solvent supply
DCGI orders QR code display at pharmacies for side effect reporting
Pharmacies must also display toll-free helpline number
Enforcement begins immediately with strict compliance expected
- Who
- Indian officials, Drug Controller General of India (DCGI)
- What
- Investigating cough syrup deaths and mandating QR code reporting
- When
- November 2025 (investigation ongoing, QR code order issued)
- Where
- India, specifically Tamil Nadu state and all pharmacies across the country
- Why
- To improve drug safety, prevent under-reporting of adverse reactions, and investigate the cause of children's deaths
Government and Health Officials
Chemical Suppliers
Responsibility for Contamination
Government and Health Officials
Investigating suppliers for potential safety lapses
Chemical Suppliers
Denying knowledge of contamination and not handling toxic DEG
- Programme
- India’s Pharmacovigilance Programme (PvPI)
- Helpline
- Toll-free number
- Meeting
- 16th Working Group Meeting of the Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI)
- Order Date
- November 20, 2025
- Implementation
- Immediate enforcement expected
- Deaths
- At least 24 children
- Suspected Chemical
- Diethylene glycol (DEG)
- Investigated Company
- Sresan Pharmaceutical Manufacturer
Sources
Antidote For Adverse Drug Reactions: Now Scan QR Code At Pharmacy To Report Medicine Side Effects
Exclusive-Safety lapses, weak oversight: How children die from Indian cough syrup
Safety lapses, weak oversight - How children die from Indian cough syrup
