Punjab Bans ColdRiff Syrup After 10 Child Deaths in Madhya Pradesh

Chandigarh (The Uttam Hindu): In a decisive move following a tragic spate of deaths in Madhya Pradesh, the Punjab government has issued an immediate ban on the sale of ColdRiff cough syrup across all districts of the state. The decision comes after at least 10 children died in Chhindwara district due to consumption of the toxic syrup manufactured by Srisan Pharmaceuticals, raising national concern over drug safety standards.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab has instructed authorities to remove all stocks of ColdRiff syrup from pharmacies, hospitals, and distributors to prevent further casualties. Officials emphasized that the ban is statewide and applies to all retail and wholesale outlets.

This action follows a detailed report by the Tamil Nadu government on Srisan Pharmaceuticals, which revealed massive regulatory violations in the production of ColdRiff syrup, including the use of toxic diethylene glycol (DEG), unhygienic manufacturing conditions, and failure to conduct quality assurance checks before releasing batches into the market. The report found that the factory violated over 350 rules, with 39 critical and 325 major lapses.

Authorities have confirmed that propylene glycol and DEG were improperly handled in the syrup, making it highly hazardous for consumption. Following the tragedy, multiple states including Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu have imposed bans on the product, while the central government has launched risk-based inspections of pharmaceutical units across six states.

Punjab’s Health Minister stated, “The safety of our children is our top priority. Immediate action was required to prevent further tragedy, and the ban ensures no harmful syrup reaches our citizens.”

Parents and civil society groups have welcomed the government’s proactive stance, calling for stricter regulations and enhanced monitoring of pharmaceutical manufacturing standards nationwide.