Why states are banning Coldrif cough syrup

Coldrif, the India-made cough syrup, has now been banned in four states after Uttar Pradesh became the latest to ban the Tamil Nadu-based Sresan Pharma’s cough syrup.

This after the deaths of at least 14 children across Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan were linked to the medicine. Government-tested samples of the cough syrup were found to contain diethylene glycol “beyond permissible limit”, with some reports suggesting the cough syrup contained as much as 48.6% of DEG by volume.

For context, Diethylene glycol is a highly toxic substance and is used as an industrial solvent as well as in antifreeze, brake fluids, cosmetics, lubricants, and other commercially available products.

Madhya Pradesh responded with a ban on the sale and distribution of Coldrif which was soon followed by Tamil Nadu, Kerala.

The Union Health Ministry on Sunday held an emergency high-level meeting with health secretaries and drug control officials from all States and Union Territories. The committee has decided on stricter oversight of drug manufacturing units, ensuring rational usage and prescription practices, along with toughening regulation to prevent sale and misuse.

Moreover, Director General of Health Services, Dr Sunita Sharma, warned against using cough medications to treat children. She said they have minimal proven benefit while carrying significant risks.

Criminal proceedings have been initiated against Sresan Pharma, the Union Health Ministry added.

This latest tragedy certainly doesn’t bode well for India’s multi-billion dollar pharmaceutical industry.

In 2022, at least 70 children died in the west African country of the Gambia with the World Health Organisation (WHO) linking their deaths to cough syrups made by another Indian company. The following year the deaths of at least 18 children in Uzbekistan were once again linked by WHO to Indian-made cough syrups. A fifth global warning in 10 months against India-made medication was issued after medicines contaminated with toxins were found in Iraq.

According to the government, India’s pharmaceutical market was valued at $50 billion for FY24 with exports accounting for over half of it. Considered to be the world’s third largest by volume and 14th in terms of value of production, the industry is projected to grow to $130 billion by 2030 and $450 billion market by 2047.