Following the deaths of 23 newborns in Madhya Pradesh's Chhindwara district due to the consumption of Coldrif cough syrup, the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a strict warning. WHO has expressed concern regarding certain cough syrup batches from Srisan Pharmaceuticals, Rednex Pharmaceuticals, and Shape Pharma.
New Delhi: The World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday issued a warning about contaminated cough syrups. The organization urged authorities to report any discovery of these medicines in their respective countries to the health agency. In Madhya Pradesh's Chhindwara district, 23 newborns had died after consuming Coldrif cough syrup. Subsequently, several state governments in India banned this cough syrup. WHO has taken suo motu cognizance of this deadly medicine issue.
WHO Advisory and Grave Warning
WHO clarified that the syrups identified are as follows:
- Srisan Pharmaceuticals – Coldrif
- Rednex Pharmaceuticals – Respifresh TR
- Shape Pharma – Relife
WHO stated that these contaminated products can pose severe health risks and lead to fatal illnesses in children. The World Health Organization urged health agencies in all countries to immediately share information if any batches of these syrups are present in their country.
CDSCO Provides Information
India's Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) informed WHO that children under the age of five had consumed this syrup. Investigations revealed that the amount of Diethylene Glycol in these cough syrups was approximately 500 times higher than the prescribed limit. CDSCO also clarified that none of these medicines had been exported from India. Furthermore, no evidence of illegal export was found. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also confirmed that these toxic syrups were not shipped to the United States.
The news of the children's deaths in Madhya Pradesh's Chhindwara district stunned the entire country. The local health department initiated an investigation and found that a specific batch of Coldrif cough syrup contained poisonous ingredients. Subsequently, several state governments banned this syrup. Experts state that Diethylene Glycol is a severe toxic substance that can cause kidney failure, difficulty breathing, and ultimately death in children.
