In a major health safety move, the Punjab government has imposed an immediate ban on the sale, distribution, and use of Coldrif Cough Syrup after reports linked the medicine to the deaths of 14 children in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara district. The state’s Food and Drugs Administration (Drugs Wing) declared the syrup “not of standard quality,” following test results from the Drugs Testing Laboratory in Madhya Pradesh.
The official order stated that the product posed serious health risks and was directly associated with the tragic deaths of children, leading to its prohibition across Punjab with immediate effect. The directive bans not only the sale and distribution but also the utilisation of the syrup in both government and private healthcare facilities.
Following Punjab’s move, the Uttar Pradesh government has also banned Coldrif Cough Syrup and directed all drug inspectors to collect samples of the product manufactured by Shreesan Pharmaceutical, Chhindwara. The order prohibits the import and export of the medicine within the state until further notice, emphasising strict compliance to safeguard public health.
Meanwhile, the Kerala government has constituted a committee to investigate the regulation and management of pediatric cough syrups. Health Minister Veena George confirmed that Kerala’s Drugs Controller has already banned the specific syrup and instructed pharmacies not to sell pediatric medicines to children without a valid doctor’s prescription.
Other states including Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and Telangana have also issued advisories and enforced bans on Coldrif Cough Syrup.
In a related development, Madhya Pradesh’s Food and Drug Administration has detected excessive levels of diethylene glycol (DEG) — a toxic compound — in two more cough syrups: ReLife and Respifresh TR. While the permissible DEG limit is 0.1%, laboratory analysis found ReLife containing 0.616% and Respifresh TR containing 1.342%. The state drug controller has ordered the immediate seizure of the affected products and suspended their sale across the state.
Authorities nationwide have urged pharmacies and medical practitioners to ensure compliance with the bans and report any stock or sale of the affected syrups immediately to prevent further tragedies.
