‘Killer Cough Syrup’ Scandal: 14 Children Dead, 350 Safety Rules Broken in Factory Exposé

Chhindwara (The Uttam Hindu): A horrifying tragedy in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara district, where over 14 children lost their lives after consuming a toxic cough syrup, has triggered nationwide outrage. Following the incident, a 26-page investigation report by the Tamil Nadu government on Srisan Pharmaceuticals, the manufacturer of the cough syrup, “ColdRiff” has revealed massive regulatory failures, dangerous chemical use, and gross negligence.

According to the report, the company violated 350 manufacturing norms, including 39 critical and 325 major lapses. Laboratory tests showed the syrup contained 48.6% diethylene glycol (DEG), a toxic industrial chemical that can cause acute kidney failure and has been linked to several global poisoning incidents.

Grim Findings: Dirt, Decay, and Dangerous Practices

The Tamil Nadu Drug Control Department’s inspection painted a chilling picture ColdRiff syrup was being produced amid unhygienic conditions. The factory lacked skilled staff, proper machinery, and essential equipment. There was no quality assurance department, and no testing was conducted before batch release.

The report also revealed absence of air-handling systems, poor ventilation, and rusted machinery. The plant layout itself was conducive to contamination. Shockingly, the company illegally purchased 50 kg of propylene glycol without invoices a major legal violation.

Experts say while propylene glycol is a relatively safe solvent, DEG (diethylene glycol) is an industrial-grade toxic compound typically used in brake oil, paints, and plastics making its presence in medicine potentially lethal.

A Catalogue of Negligence

Inspectors found plastic pipes used to transfer formulations, no filtration system, and chemical waste being dumped into open drains. Water tanks were filthy, raw materials went untested, and no pharmacovigilance mechanism existed to monitor adverse reactions. Sampling was conducted in open air, leading to product contamination.

There were no pest-control measures — flies, rodents, and mosquitoes freely roamed the premises, and essential devices like fly catchers and air curtains were missing.

Swift Action and Statewide Crackdown

In response, the Tamil Nadu government banned the sale of ColdRiff syrup from October 1 and ordered the immediate recall of all stocks from the market. Laboratory analyses confirmed chemical adulteration, and the factory’s operations have been suspended indefinitely.

The Madhya Pradesh government has also acted swiftly suspending three officials, removing the State Drug Controller, and arresting Dr. Praveen Soni, who had prescribed the fatal syrup. Families of the victims will receive ₹4 lakh each as compensation.

Following the tragedy, several states including Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu — have imposed bans on ColdRiff syrup. The Union Government has initiated risk-based inspections of 19 pharmaceutical units across six states to identify further safety violations.