Parliament Question: Premature Death due to Cough Syrups

GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE LOK SABHA UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 3561 TOBE ANSWERED ON13TH MARCH, 2026 PREMATURE DEATHDUE TOCOUGH SYRUPS †3561.SHRINARAYANTATURANE: Will the Ministerof HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFAREbe pleasedtostate: (a) whether cases of premature death of many children are reported in different States of the countrydue tofake/duplicate coughsyrups prescribed bydoctors; (b) if so, the numberof childdeathsin differentStates,State-wise; and (c) the action taken by the Government against the doctors prescribing such syrups for this serious condition and against the manufacturing pharmaceutical companies and concerned qualitycontrol officials? ANSWER THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SMT. ANUPRIYAPATEL) (a)to(c): Upon receipt of reports of a cluster of child deaths from Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh, a Central team of experts comprising an epidemiologist, a microbiologist, an entomologist, and drug inspectors from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), National Institute of Virology (NIV), and Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), respectively visited Chhindwara and Nagpur and undertook a detailed investigation of the reported cases and deaths in coordination with the Madhya Pradesh State Authorities. A total of 19 drug samples, reportedly consumed by the affected children, were collected from the treating private practitioners and nearby retail stores for testing. Chemical analysis of these 19 samples indicated that 15 samples were of Standard Quality, while 4 samples were declared Not of Standard Quality (NSQ). As per the test report, the content of Diethylene Glycol (DEG) in Syrup Coldrif (B.No. SR-13) manufactured by M/s Sresan Pharmaceutical located in Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu and consumed by the deceased childrenwas found tobe 46.28% w/v. The premises of M/s SresanPharmaceuticalswas inspected.Severalcriticalandmajor Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) violations including unhygienic storage conditions were observed. The matter regarding the criminal action against the manufacturer was takenup by CDSCO with the State Government of Tamil Nadu. The State Drugs Controller, Tamil Nadu cancelled the manufacturing licence. Further, following the incident, the States of Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Odisha and the Union Territory of Puducherry to which the impugned cough syrup batches were supplied, ordered immediate ban and recall of the same. Criminal case has been registered in the matter by the State of Madhya Pradesh and strict actionhasbeentakenincluding the arrest of persons involved. Further, an advisory has been issued on 03.10.2025 to all State/UT Health Departments and healthcare facilities to ensure rational use of paediatric cough syrups. Further, the Drugs Controller (India) directed allState/UT Drug Controllers on 07.10.2025 to ensure strict compliance with testing requirements under the Drugs Rules, 1945, and on 27.10.2025 instructed them to maintain heightened vigilance against spurious and substandard drugs andtake prompt action underthe Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940. *******