Chhindwara district in Madhya Pradesh has been shaken by a medical tragedy after at least 14 children lost their lives due to suspected consumption of contaminated cough syrup. The deaths, which occurred over the past several days, were linked to Coldrif, a syrup manufactured by Sresan Pharmaceuticals in Tamil Nadu. Many of the children had initially been treated for routine colds and coughs but later developed serious complications, including kidney failure.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the cough syrup contained diethylene glycol (DEG), a toxic chemical that is highly dangerous even in small amounts. DEG poisoning is known to damage the kidneys and nervous system, and in this case, it proved fatal for the young victims. Following the lab findings, the Madhya Pradesh government immediately banned the sale and distribution of Coldrif across the state and ordered seizures of the available stock.
Amid rising outrage, authorities arrested Dr. Praveen Soni, a pediatrician at the Civil Hospital in Parasia, Chhindwara, for alleged negligence in prescribing the syrup. He has been suspended by the government, and an FIR has been filed against both him and the drug manufacturer. Charges include culpable homicide, negligence, and violations under the Drugs & Cosmetics Act. The state health minister, Rajendra Shukla, said that those responsible would face strict punishment and assured the public that no guilty party would be spared.
The Union Health Ministry has also stepped in, issuing advisories to all states to enforce stricter checks on pediatric cough syrups and to ensure safe prescription practices. Inspections of drug manufacturing units and distribution channels are now underway, as authorities work to trace the contaminated batches and verify whether other products may have been compromised.
Families of the deceased children, however, have expressed frustration and anger at systemic failures. Reports indicate that despite parental willingness, no autopsies were conducted, raising questions about lapses in forensic procedures. Critics argue that regulatory authorities failed to act quickly, and this delay may have cost lives. The tragedy has also reignited memories of similar incidents abroad, including child deaths in The Gambia and Uzbekistan caused by contaminated Indian-made syrups.
As investigations continue, the focus remains on uncovering how the toxic syrup made its way into the medical system and whether oversight agencies failed in their duty. Families are demanding accountability, compensation, and reforms to prevent such tragedies in the future. With public outrage growing, this case could become a landmark moment in shaping India’s pharmaceutical safety regulations.