Centre Holds Key Meet As Cough Syrup-Linked Deaths Surge To 18, Urges States To Act Swiftly

Last Updated:October 05, 2025, 22:23 IST

Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava led a meeting after 14 child deaths in Madhya Pradesh and 2 in Rajasthan linked to cough syrup containing toxic diethylene glycol.

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Sunday convened a high-level virtual meeting with health secretaries from all states and union territories.

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Sunday convened a high-level meeting with health secretaries of all States and Union Territories to review compliance with drug quality norms and promote the rational use of cough syrups in view of recent deaths linked to substandard cough syrups in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

The meeting, chaired by Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava, discussed three key agenda points: compliance with Schedule M and other GSR provisions relating to quality standards in drug manufacturing units; rational use of cough syrups in children, including the need to avoid irrational combinations and inappropriate formulations; and strengthening regulation of retail pharmacies to prevent sale and misuse of such formulations.

What Happened In Meeting?

In the meeting, Srivastava praised Rajasthan’s proactive response to recent health concerns, highlighting their efforts in surveillance, public advisories and technical investigations. Srivastava urged other states to adopt similar measures, especially to protect children and pregnant women.

The Union Health Secretary further emphasised strict compliance with the Revised Schedule M by all drug manufacturers. It warned that the licenses of drug manufacturers violating the norms will be revoked.

States were also advised to ensure rational use of cough syrups, particularly among children, as most coughs are self-limiting and do not require pharmacological treatment. The advisory issued by the DGHS on the rational use of cough syrups in paediatric populations was also discussed.

States and Union Territories also apprised the Centre of their ongoing efforts in strengthening drug quality control and administration.

Srivastava stressed upon the importance of enhanced surveillance and wider dissemination of the community reporting tool of IDSP, timely reporting by all health facilities, and strengthened interstate coordination.

Child Deaths Due To Cough Syrups

The high-level meeting was held to address the critical issue of contaminated cough syrups following the death of multiple children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan,

As many as 14 children in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara have died due to suspected renal failure after they consumed the Coldrif cough syrup, while two kids lost thier lives in Rajasthan.

The Metropolitan Surveillance Unit (MSU), Nagpur, established under the Pradhan Mantri-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM), had reported a cluster of cases and related deaths to IDSP, NCDC from a Block in Chhindwara District, Madhya Pradesh

Later, officials stated that the samples of the drug were found to contain 48.6 per cent diethylene glycol, a highly toxic substance.

Subsequently, the Madhya Pradesh government on Saturday banned the sale of Coldrif cough syrup.

The matter had been earlier reviewed by Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare JP Nadda, who had directed that the matter may be discussed with States/UTs to ensure necessary actions, according to an official release from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

(With inputs from agencies)

About the Author

Shobhit Gupta

Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben…Read More

Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben… Read More

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