The World Health Organization (WHO) has sounded an international alert over 3 cough syrups manufactured in India – Coldrif, RespiFresh TR, and ReLife, that were found to contain dangerous levels of diethylene glycol (DEG). These syrups are linked to the deaths of several children under five in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.
Authorities have already banned Coldrif following confirmation that it contained nearly 48.6% DEG, far exceeding safe limits. Although Respifresh TR and ReLife had lower measured DEG levels (1.342% and 0.616% respectively), they were also recalled.
“The contaminated medicines pose serious and potentially fatal health risks,” warned WHO in its advisory, urging health authorities globally to report any detection of these syrups.
India’s regulators, including the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), have stated that none of the syrups were exported through official channels. However, WHO cautioned that unregulated or illicit export routes cannot be ruled out and called for rigorous surveillance.
In response, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) confirmed that the tainted syrups were not shipped to the United States.
Law enforcement has also stepped in. The owner of Sresan Pharmaceuticals, the company behind Coldrif, has been arrested in connection with the case.
Why this matters?
Diethylene glycol is a toxic industrial chemical that can cause acute kidney failure and death, especially in children.
These incidents echo past international scandals in Gambia, Uzbekistan, and Cameroon where contaminated syrups from India led to child fatalities. Weak regulatory enforcement and gaps in pharmaceutical oversight may allow harmful products to slip through. The alert shows global health risks when medicine supply chains cross borders especially in LMICs.
