India Investigates Deadly Chemical Contamination in Cough Syrup Linked to Child Deaths
Indian authorities are investigating contamination in a cough syrup produced by Sresan Pharmaceuticals after 24 children died from consuming it. The syrup was found to be contaminated with diethylene glycol (DEG), a toxic industrial solvent. The contamination likely happened due to lapses in the pharmaceutical ingredient supply chain involving improper handling and repackaging of propylene glycol by unlicensed suppliers.
Indian officials launched an investigation after at least 24 children in Tamil Nadu and other states died from consuming Coldrif cough syrup manufactured by Sresan Pharmaceuticals. The syrup was found to contain high levels of diethylene glycol (DEG), a deadly industrial solvent causing acute kidney failure and death, especially in children. Sresan had sourced propylene glycol (PG), a common cough syrup solvent, from a chain of suppliers lacking appropriate pharmaceutical licenses, including Jinkushal Aroma and Sunrise Biotech. The contamination likely occurred when Jinkushal Aroma broke the sealed barrels to repackage the PG, violating global pharmaceutical safety protocols. Inspections at Sresan's factory revealed severe manufacturing violations such as unhygienic conditions and data falsification. The company's license was revoked, and its founder arrested. Despite prior penalties, Sresan's facility was not inspected in 2024 as required. The incident has raised alarms about persistent quality control and regulatory enforcement gaps in India's $50 billion pharmaceutical sector, already under scrutiny after similar toxic cough syrup deaths abroad in 2022-2023. The Indian government has initiated nationwide inspections and increased oversight to prevent further tragedies. The exact source and responsibility of the DEG contamination remain undetermined as investigations continue.
