File Figure bottle of cough syrup ColdDRIF | Photo Credit: Reuters
The World Health Organization (WHO) sought from India to clarify whether the syrup coughs associated with more than 15 deaths in the country was exported to other countries, said Global Health Agency on Wednesday (October 8, 2025).
The WHO still has to give a global warning of medical products about Coldy’s syrup, a cough syrup, which allegedly caused the death of a child in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. The clerk added that the need for warnings will only be investigated after receiving the response of the Indian health authorities.
So far, at least 17 children aged under five have died in India, allegedly after eating the syrup containing a toxic compound of diethylene glycol (DEG). Coldriff was made by Sresan Pharmaceuticals based in Tamil Nadu. The company is currently under investigation.
Since 2023, more than 140 children in Gambia, Uzbekistan and Cameroon have been entrusted to erase further testing in government -controlled laboratories. The death was associated with syrups made in India.
The Central Government in the order of 18 December 2023 said the combination of fixed doses (FDC) chlorpheniraminine maleate IP 2MG and phenylefrin HCl IP 5MG Drop/ml “should not be used in children under four years.” Cold, prescribed to treat symptoms of colds and coughs, including cold, sneezing and sore throat and water eyes, contains chlorpheniramin maleate, paracetamol and phenylephrine.
The order issued by the standard Central Drugs control organization and signed by Rajeev Singh Raghuvanki, the CEO of Drugs in India, ordered companies to “mention warnings” in this regard on the label and inserting the package.
Advice
On Wednesday (October 8, 2025), the organization of all India chemists and pharmacies (AIOCD) wrote pharmaceutical manufacturers and marketing companies on directives issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Care (MoHFW) and Central Drug Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), which is compulsory for all campaigns and cold preparations for children and age. It is possible that it is possible, that it is for children.
“It has been found that this information is either missing or prominently appearing in some market stocks, which may lead to non -compliance and potential abuse. The matter is directly related to patient safety and compliance, we require all manufacturing and marketing holders to immediately review and ensure all products correspond to these legal characters.”
It urged the stakeholders to advise and control merchants, distributors and field staff to maintain proper communication and compliance in the entire supply chain, in full compliance with government announcements and circulars.
Published – 8 October 2025 09:25
