The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a global alert regarding three Indian-made cough syrups found to contain dangerously high levels of diethylene glycol, a toxic chemical. The syrups—Coldref by Shresan Pharmaceuticals, Respifresh TR by Rednex Pharmaceuticals, and Relife by Shape Pharma—were intended for children aged one to five. WHO tests revealed the presence of the chemical at concentrations 500 times higher than the approved limit. The alert follows the deaths of 17 Indian children in August after consuming Coldref syrup. Similar incidents in 2023 caused 141 child deaths in Uzbekistan, Cameroon, and The Gambia from contaminated Indian syrups. India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has acknowledged the WHO warning and promised stricter quality monitoring and regulatory actions to prevent future tragedies.
The World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations’ global health body, has issued a warning regarding three Indian-made cough syrups produced for children aged between one and five years.
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