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The PIL holds Ministry of Health responsible for ignoring World Health Organization (WHO) warnings regarding the toxic chemicals diethylene glycol (DEG) and ethylene glycol in paediatric medicines.
Supreme Court of India (Image: PTI/File)
A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Supreme Court by advocate Vishal Tiwari in the wake of the recent tragedy involving contaminated cough syrups in India. The plea seeks the constitution of a court-monitored expert committee to recommend safe formulations for cough syrups and ensure stringent regulatory oversight.
The PIL also demands compensation for bereaved families, a nationwide ban and recall of contaminated syrups, and holds the Ministry of Health responsible for ignoring World Health Organization (WHO) warnings regarding the toxic chemicals diethylene glycol (DEG) and ethylene glycol in paediatric medicines.
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What the PIL said?
According to the PIL, the deaths reflect a chronic regulatory malfunction. Despite repeated WHO warnings, neither the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) nor the Ministry of Health implemented uniform pre-release testing protocols or a national recall mechanism.Â
WHO has linked cough syrups contaminated with diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol to over 300 child deaths worldwide since 2022. Notable incidents include Gambia in 2022, where at least 70 children died, and Ramnagar, Jammu and Kashmir, in 2020, where 17 children died from syrup batches containing nearly 35% DEG.
The PIL urges the Supreme Court to establish an expert committee and introduce systemic safeguards to prevent further tragedies. It seeks strict enforcement of safety standards and compensation for affected families, stressing that repeated inaction has exposed India’s children to unnecessary risk.
What do we know about the cough syrup deaths?
The tragedy came to light in August in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara district, where children under five began showing severe kidney-related symptoms after consuming routine cough syrups. Within weeks, six children had died of acute kidney failure, a number that eventually rose to 16. Families across neighbouring Maharashtra and Rajasthan also reported deaths linked to syrups like Coldrif and Nextro-DS.
Investigations revealed that diethylene glycol, a toxic chemical used in industrial products such as printing ink, glue, and brake fluid, was present in dangerously high concentrations. Children are especially vulnerable; even small amounts can cause nausea, abdominal pain, reduced urination, and in severe cases, seizures, organ failure, and death.
About the Author
Shuddhanta Patra, a seasoned journalist with eight years of experience, serves as Senior Sub‑Editor at CNN News 18. With expertise across national politics, geopolitics, business news, she has influenced public…Read More
Shuddhanta Patra, a seasoned journalist with eight years of experience, serves as Senior Sub‑Editor at CNN News 18. With expertise across national politics, geopolitics, business news, she has influenced public… Read More
Delhi, India, India
October 07, 2025, 11:24 IST
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