Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh food and drugs administration (MPFDA) Monday flagged two additional cough syrups, apart from the previously reported Coldrif, as “unsafe” after laboratory analysis revealed dangerously high levels of diethylene glycol (DEG) — a toxic chemical.
The syrups, manufactured under the brands Relife Batch No. LSL25160 and Respifresh TR Batch No. R01GL2523, contained DEG at concentrations of 0.6161% and 1.342% respectively, significantly above the safety threshold. Normally, any detectable level of DEG is considered hazardous for oral medications since it can cause acute poisoning, kidney failure, and death.
Former MPFDA commissioner Dinesh Kumar Maurya confirmed that the sale of the two contaminated cough syrups has been officially banned. Maurya was relieved of his duties later on Monday evening.
One of the manufacturers is based in Ahmedabad, while the other operates out of Rajkot. Legal proceedings have been initiated against both companies, and existing stocks of the syrups are being recalled for further testing.
These medications were among those administered to children affected in the Chhindwara incident involving Coldrif cough syrup. As part of the investigation into the cause and to uphold drug safety standards, authorities collected samples of 13 different medicines, including Coldrif. According to Maurya, three of these have now been identified as substandard.
According to state drug inspectors, both syrups also contained usual ingredients like ambroxol HCl, guaifenesin, terbutaline sulphate, and menthol, compounds commonly used to treat cough and cold symptoms. However, it is DEG contamination that makes the products extremely dangerous. Doctors warn that ingestion may lead to severe symptoms including abdominal pain, vomiting, kidney damage, and neurological issues.
Both products have now been classified as “non-standard quality,” prompting their immediate ban from pharmacies and hospital dispensaries.
