20 Children Dead in MP from Toxic Coldrif Syrup, 5 Critical

Bhopal: A devastating episode unfolded in Madhya Pradesh as at least 20 children lost their lives after consuming Coldrif cough syrup tainted with toxic substances, with five more children in Nagpur battling critical conditions, authorities confirmed. The incident has drawn intense scrutiny to both the manufacturer and regulatory agencies across multiple states.

The majority of the victims hailed from Chhindwara district, while two were from Betul and another from Pandhurna. Initial investigations suggest that the children suffered acute kidney failure after consuming the syrup, produced by Sresan Pharmaceuticals, headquartered in Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu.

Deputy Chief Minister and Health Minister Rajendra Shukla reported that of the five critically ill children in Nagpur, two are receiving care at AIIMS, two at a government hospital, and one at a private facility. During a visit to console affected families, he remarked, 'Everyone is doing their utmost to preserve the lives of these children.'

A police contingent from Chhindwara has already travelled to Kancheepuram to take the company’s owner into custody. Meanwhile, the Madhya Pradesh Police have established a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and registered a case against the firm.

Dr. Praveen Soni, who prescribed the syrup, has been arrested on charges of negligence. The Indian Medical Association (IMA), however, defended him, attributing responsibility to failures by the pharmaceutical company and the regulatory authorities. IMA president Dr. Dilip Bhanushali urged decisive measures against those accountable and advocated compensation not only for the bereaved families but also for Dr. Soni, underlining systemic weaknesses in the nation’s drug oversight.

Preliminary examinations reveal the syrup contained hazardous chemicals. Authorities emphasised that the medicine was unsuitable for children under four, yet it remained accessible in the market without restriction.

In response, the Madhya Pradesh government suspended two drug inspectors and a deputy director of the Food & Drug Administration, while transferring Drug Controller Dinesh Maurya. The Union Health Ministry collected 19 syrup samples for testing; of the ten results received so far, one sample failed quality standards, while the remainder conformed to regulations. Simultaneously, inspections of pharmaceutical facilities across six states have been initiated to identify shortcomings in production and quality control.

Kerala Health Minister Veena George announced a prohibition on all medicines produced by Sresan Pharmaceuticals, following the Tamil Nadu Drugs Controller’s revocation of the company’s manufacturing licence.

Separately, the Gujarat Drugs Controller reported that Respifresh TR syrup (60ml, Batch No. R01GL2523), manufactured by Rednex Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd., Ahmedabad, did not meet quality standards. Kerala’s Drugs Control Department immediately halted the sale and distribution of the product, previously supplied through five distributors in the state. Citizens were advised to refrain from using the syrup, and authorities vowed strict action against anyone contravening the ban.