Toxic Cough Syrups: Tamil Nadu doctors criticise Govt's delay in alert
Doctors
Chennai: After the Drugs Control Administration (DCA), Tamil Nadu issued an urgent warning to stop using two cough syrups found to be contaminated with Diethylene Glycol (DEG), medical professionals expressed disappointment with the government for not informing them earlier.
Pointing out that silence on such critical information could cost lives, the Tamil Nadu branch of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) said that it was unaware of the warning.
Several doctors also criticised the government for failing to disclose the harmful effects of the syrups, which reportedly remained available in the drug supply chain, thereby posing risks to patients.
Also read- Stop using these cough syrups immediately, warns Telangana Drug Authority
Not only doctors and healthcare professionals, but hospital-based pharmacies also stated that they had no prior knowledge about the dangers of the two recently banned syrups.
Medical Dialogues had reported that the Drugs Control Administration has issued an urgent public alert advising citizens to immediately stop using two cough syrups found adulterated with Diethylene Glycol (DEG)—a highly toxic substance. The alert is for batches expiring in Dec 2026.
The alert followed a report from the Drug Testing Laboratory, Government of Madhya Pradesh, which detected DEG in “Relife” Cough Syrup (Ambroxol Hydrochloride, Guaiphenesin, Terbutaline Sulphate & Menthol Syrup) manufactured by M/s Shape Pharma Pvt. Ltd. (batch No. LSL25160) and “Respifresh TR” Cough Syrup (Bromhexine Hydrochloride, Terbutaline Sulphate, Guaiphenesin & Menthol Syrup) manufactured by M/s Rednex Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd. (batch No. RO1GL2523).
In response, the DCA directed all Drug Inspectors and Assistant Directors to immediately alert retailers, distributors, and hospitals to freeze stocks of the said product batches and ensure that the same are not dispensed or sold under any circumstances.
Both syrups, manufactured in Gujarat, contained diethylene glycol — the same toxic substance that caused the deaths of 11 children in Madhya Pradesh. Medical Dialogues had reported that at least 11 children died from kidney failure after consuming contaminated Coldrif cough syrup in Madhya Pradesh's Chhindwara district in the past 30 days. Following these deaths, police arrested Dr Pradeep Soni, a paediatrician posted at the Community Health Centre (CHC) in the town, who had prescribed the syrup, and registered him as an accused in the case. Apart from Dr Soni, the police also named the directors of a Tamil Nadu-based pharmaceutical company (M/s Sresan Pharmaceuticals, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu) as the second accused in the case.
Commenting on this, Former IMA TN president Dr K M Abul Hasan told TOI, "Do officials in the drug control department realise their silence can cost lives."
Infectious diseases expert Dr Subramaniam Swaminathan, "The officials know adulteration with diethylene glycol is highly dangerous, as this chemical is toxic and can cause severe poisoning, including kidney failure and death. Where have they disseminated this information? Why do we have a system that makes no noise about a toxic substance being in the drug chain."
He further said, "Doctors' associations have been guiding doctors to look for adverse reactions in patients who consumed cough syrup. No channel exists to report such cases to drug controller."
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian clarified that the drug has not been procured by TN Medical Service Corporation and is not in use in government hospitals. Former drug controller M Baskaran said, "The toughest part is to tell consumers who have already bought them not to use it," he said.
TN's deputy director of drugs control, S Gurubharathi, told TOI, "We were working to seize around 100 bottles of Coldrif syrup that were stocked in shops in Thanjavur, Tiruvannamalai, and Chengalpet. Criminal proceedings have been initiated against the manufacturer Sresan Pharmaceuticals. We have issued a show-cause notice. Since the premises was closed, it was pasted on the doors and on the doors of the owner's residence."
"A criminal proceedings chargesheet against the manufacturer will be launched in the court subsequently. If convicted, he will face a minimum of 10 years of imprisonment, which may extend up to life imprisonment and with a fine of not less than 10 lakh," he said.
