CHHINDWARA, India – The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned countries to be on high alert after identifying three contaminated cough syrups manufactured in India that have been linked to the deaths of several children.
In a statement on Monday, the global health agency said the syrups — Coldrif from Sresan Pharmaceutical, Respifresh TR from Rednex Pharmaceuticals, and ReLife from Shape Pharma — were found to contain dangerously high levels of toxic diethylene glycol.
According to India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), laboratory tests revealed that the chemical was present in quantities nearly 500 times above the permissible limit.
The syrups were reportedly consumed by children under the age of five in the Chhindwara district of Madhya Pradesh, resulting in several deaths.
The WHO said the contaminated products “pose significant health risks and can cause severe, potentially life-threatening illness.”
It urged health authorities worldwide to report any detection or sale of the affected medicines and to remove them from circulation immediately.
Indian authorities have said none of the tainted products were exported, and there is currently no evidence of illegal distribution outside India.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also confirmed on Friday that the syrups had not been shipped to the United States.
The incident echoes previous tragedies involving toxic cough syrups in countries such as Gambia and Uzbekistan, which prompted global calls for tighter regulation of pharmaceutical manufacturing and export oversight in India — one of the world’s largest producers of generic medicines.
The WHO continues to monitor the situation and has urged countries to strengthen surveillance of cough and cold medications, especially those sold over the counter or through informal markets.
