The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a global health advisory after three contaminated cough syrups were identified in India, warning they pose severe, potentially life-threatening risks. The alert follows the deaths of several children in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara district.
The WHO said the affected medicines are specific batches of Coldrif (Sresan Pharmaceutical), Respifresh TR (Rednex Pharmaceuticals), and ReLife (Shape Pharma). Tests revealed the syrups contained toxic diethylene glycol (DEG) at levels nearly 500 times above the permissible limit. DEG is a chemical used in industrial products like antifreeze and is highly dangerous if ingested.
India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) confirmed that the syrups were consumed by children under the age of five, leading to multiple fatalities. Authorities stressed that none of the contaminated products had been exported, and there is no evidence of illegal shipments abroad.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also confirmed that the toxic syrups were not shipped to the United States. Still, the WHO has urged all countries to remain vigilant and immediately report any detection of these medicines to prevent further tragedies.
This incident has reignited concerns about drug safety and regulatory oversight in India, which is one of the world’s largest producers of generic medicines. Similar DEG-related poisoning cases in past decades have caused mass casualties in several countries, underscoring the urgent need for stricter quality control and monitoring.
The WHO advisory highlights the importance of global cooperation in pharmaceutical safety, as contaminated medicines can quickly cross borders and endanger lives worldwide.
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