The World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday, October 13, issued a global medical alert concerning three cough and cold syrups manufactured in India, after laboratory tests found them to be contaminated with toxic chemicals linked to the deaths of at least 17 children.
The affected products include specific batches of Coldrif (Sresan Pharmaceutical), Respifresh TR (Rednex Pharmaceuticals), and ReLife (Shape Pharma). According to India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), tests revealed that the syrups contained diethylene glycol (DEG)—a toxic industrial solvent—at concentrations “nearly 500 times above the permissible limit.” The contaminated syrups were reportedly consumed by children under five in Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh, who later died.
In its alert, WHO described the syrups as oral liquid medicines commonly used to relieve symptoms of cough, cold, and flu, but warned that the contaminated batches pose severe and potentially fatal risks. “Diethylene glycol is highly toxic to humans when ingested and can cause serious injury or death,” the agency said, classifying the medicines as substandard because they failed to meet quality and safety standards.
The CDSCO has suspended production at the implicated factories, revoked product authorisations, and launched product recalls. It also told WHO that there was no evidence the tainted medicines had been exported. However, WHO urged all national regulatory bodies to conduct targeted surveillance of oral liquid medicines, particularly those produced by the same manufacturers since December 2024.
WHO outlined symptoms of DEG poisoning, including abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, inability to urinate, headache, confusion, and acute kidney injury, which can lead to death. The agency called on health authorities to urgently detect and remove the products from circulation and encouraged healthcare professionals to report any related adverse events through national pharmacovigilance systems.
In a strong advisory to the public, WHO stated:
“If you are in possession of any of these products, do not use them. Anyone who has used these syrups or experienced unexpected side effects should seek immediate medical attention or contact a poison control centre.”
The agency also reminded consumers to purchase medicines only from authorised and licensed suppliers and asked anyone with information about the manufacture or distribution of the affected syrups to contact WHO via rapidalert@who.int.
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