Killer Cough Syrup: Delhi Bans Coldrif After Over 20 Child Deaths in MP

This special report focuses on the ban of the cough syrup Cold Riff in Delhi following the tragic deaths of over 20 children in Madhya Pradesh. The manufacturer, Sreesan Pharmaceuticals, was found to be using ‘cheap level dry ethylene glycol and ethylene glycol in their cough syrup as solvent’, leading to the fatalities. Investigations by drug regulators found the syrup contained diethylene glycol at 48.6%, dangerously above the 0.1% permissible limit. The Central Government has ordered a halt to production, and the Tamil Nadu FDA has been directed to permanently cancel the company's license. This incident has triggered widespread inspections and bans in multiple states, including Kerala and Uttar Pradesh, highlighting significant gaps in India's drug regulation system.