The World Health Organisation (WHO) emphasises that India needs to enhance its enforcement measures regarding toxic cough syrups.
WHO’s recommendation comes after 24 children died from Sresan Pharma’s Coldrif, which was found to be contaminated with diethylene glycol at levels 500 times higher than safe limits. Rutendo Kuwana from the WHO acknowledged progress in addressing this issue but highlighted that significant gaps still exist.
The deaths come after global pledges following 300 child fatalities from similar toxins in Indian and Indonesian syrups in 2023. Coldrif tests confirmed the deadly contamination.
Export Rule: New testing for contaminants before export.
Domestic Sales: No testing required—WHO’s flagged “regulatory gap.”
India’s Plan: Scrap export rule by year-end if companies meet standards.
🚨 4 Toxic Syrups Linked to Child Deaths in India 🇮🇳 – WHO issues a global warning
⭕ At least 20 children have died after consuming cough syrups contaminated with diethylene glycol (DEG) — a toxic chemical that causes renal failure and death.
1. Coldrif – by Sresan… pic.twitter.com/CXJRUSGfyc
— Numbers.lk (@numberslka) October 23, 2025India’s health ministry and CDSCO did not comment. Kuwana highlighted: “Tens of thousands of manufacturers across states.” No jail time for past incidents despite international deaths. Pakistan attended the WHO toxin testing training; India confirmed its use of the new method but skipped some sessions.
Read: India Bans Respifresh, RELIFE Cough Syrups After 17 Child Deaths
WHO welcomes improvements but insists on testing throughout production, not just at the end stage. “This is criminally devastating consequences,” Kuwana said. India’s syrup market affects global health. Full enforcement could prevent tragedies.
