Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Drug Control Department has announced an immediate halt on the sale of Coldrif cough syrup following alarming reports from Madhya Pradesh, where children reportedly died after consuming the medicine. The decision comes after laboratory tests detected levels of diethylene glycol beyond permissible limits in a batch of the syrup manufactured in Tamil Nadu. Authorities clarified that the SR 13 batch of Coldrif has not been distributed or sold within Kerala.
In a precautionary move, doctors across the state have been directed not to prescribe Coldrif to children under the age of two. The Drug Control Department has also launched a comprehensive state-wide inspection of pharmacies and medical outlets to ensure compliance and prevent any unauthorized sale of the syrup.
The move follows similar actions by the governments of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu, which have banned the sale of Coldrif products entirely. In Madhya Pradesh, Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla revealed that nearly 48 percent of the tested medicine was found to contain toxic substances, raising serious safety concerns. Authorities in Rajasthan have also initiated action against the state drug controller as part of their crackdown.
Tragically, eight children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan lost their lives within a month after being administered the cough syrup at government healthcare facilities. The Kerala Drug Control Department has confirmed that it is closely monitoring the ongoing investigation against the Tamil Nadu-based manufacturer, emphasizing that public safety and child health remain the top priority.
The department has urged parents and caregivers to exercise caution and report any suspicious or unverified cough syrup to authorities immediately. This unprecedented alert highlights the critical need for stringent regulation and monitoring of pharmaceutical products, particularly those intended for children.