Core Points - The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a global alert regarding three cough syrups produced in India, warning of serious health risks associated with these products [1] - The syrups in question are "Coldrif" from Sresan Pharmaceuticals, "Respifresh TR" from Rednex Pharmaceuticals, and "ReLife" from Shape Pharma, which may lead to severe illness or death [1] - Testing revealed that the content of diethylene glycol (DEG) in these syrups exceeded the permissible limit by nearly 500 times, posing a significant health threat [1] Summary by Sections Health Risks - The WHO has raised concerns about the health risks posed by the contaminated cough syrups, which have been linked to the deaths of at least 20 children in India [1][2] - Symptoms observed in affected children included fever, vomiting, and difficulty urinating, leading to fatalities [1] Regulatory Actions - Indian authorities have arrested the head of Sresan Pharmaceuticals, and the company's production license will be permanently revoked [2] - Several local governments have banned the use of the implicated cough syrups, with new regulations prohibiting the use of any cough or cold syrups for children under two years old [2] Export and Distribution Concerns - The Indian drug regulatory agency reported that the contaminated syrups have not been exported, and no evidence of illegal exports has been found [1] - The WHO expressed concern that such problematic products could enter other countries through informal channels [1]

Core Points - Two Indian drugmakers, Sresan Pharmaceuticals and Kaysons Pharma, are under regulatory scrutiny due to cough syrups linked to child deaths in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan [1][2][3] - The central drug regulator found toxic contaminants, specifically diethylene glycol, in cough syrup samples, prompting bans on sales in several states [4][5] - A total of 11 children under the age of five have died, with the cough syrup Coldrif from Sresan Pharmaceuticals being at the center of the controversy [3][5] - The Indian health ministry reported that Coldrif contained 48.6% diethylene glycol, a harmful industrial chemical [4][5] - Following the incidents, sales of Coldrif have been banned in Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala, and a case has been registered against Sresan Pharmaceuticals [6] - Rajasthan has suspended sales of 19 medicines from Kaysons Pharma due to adverse effects linked to its cough syrups, and health officials have faced disciplinary actions [7] Industry Insights - The issue of cough syrup safety in India is not new, with previous incidents of child deaths linked to Indian-made cough syrups reported in countries like Uzbekistan and The Gambia [2][11] - The fragmented public health regulatory system in India complicates enforcement of drug safety, as regulations are divided between central and state authorities [12] - Medical experts emphasize the need for strict dosing and caution against over-the-counter cough syrups for children under two years old due to potential serious side effects [8][9][10]