WHO warns against three adulterated cough syrups in India

New-Delhi: The World Health Organisation (WHO) has identified three adulterated cough syrups manufactured in India, including the Coldrif cough syrup after the tragic deaths of more than a dozen children in Madhya Pradesh and has warned that the use may cause severe and potentially life threatening illness. The WHO said the affected medicines are specific batches of Coldrif from Sresan Pharmaceutical, Respifresh TR from Rednex Pharmaceuticals and ReLife from Shape Pharma. India’s health authority, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization, informed the WHO the syrups were reportedly consumed by children, all under the age of five, who recently died in the central state of Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara district. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has confirmed diethylene glycol (DEG) in at least three oral syrup medicines. The cough medicine contained toxic diethylene glycol in quantities nearly 500 times the permissible limit. The Indian drug regulator has confirmed that the contaminated medicines have not been exported and there’s no evidence of the illegal trade. The Coldrif syrup, manufactured in Tamil Nadu, was found to be dangerously contaminated with the toxic chemical diethylene glycol. Following this, the Madhya Pradesh police have arrested S Ranganathan, the owner of the Tamil Nadu-based pharmaceuticals company that manufactured the cough syrup linked to 20 children’s deaths. Also Read: Madhya Pradesh Police Arrest Sresan Pharma Owner Over 20 Children’s Deaths Linked To Coldrif…