Doctor Arrested as Coldrif Cough Syrup Linked to Child Deaths; Ban Expands Across States

The deaths of 14 children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan have triggered outrage after Coldrif cough syrup was found to contain dangerous levels of diethylene glycol. Police have arrested Dr. Praveen Soni, who prescribed the syrup to children.

A case has been filed at Parasia police station in Chhindwara against both the manufacturers of the syrup and Dr. Soni under Section 27(A) of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, and Sections 105 and 276 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Toxic findings in Coldrif syrup

Investigations by the Tamil Nadu government revealed that batch SR-13 of Coldrif contained 48.6% diethylene glycol—far above the permissible limit of 0.1%. Authorities immediately issued alerts, halted production, and seized stock from retailers and wholesalers. Diethylene glycol is highly toxic, affecting the stomach, forming crystals in the kidneys, and greatly increasing the risk of kidney failure.

States impose bans

Following confirmation of contamination, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Rajasthan banned the syrup. Kerala, Delhi, and Jharkhand later followed, while states including Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Punjab, Bengal, and Chhattisgarh have taken precautionary measures.

Health Ministry advisory

The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has advised all states and union territories against prescribing cough syrups to children unnecessarily. It stressed that most coughs and colds in children resolve without medication.

• Children under 2 years should not be given cough syrups at all.
• Children under 5 years should generally avoid such medicines.
• For children over 5 years, a doctor’s evaluation is essential before prescribing.

Centre steps in

The Union Health Ministry has convened a high-level meeting via video conferencing with health secretaries and drug controllers from across the country. Meanwhile, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has begun inspections at 19 pharmaceutical plants in six states from October 3, following the child deaths linked to Coldrif.