The Tamil Nadu government has taken a decisive step by banning the sale and distribution of the cough syrup ‘Coldrif’ after reports linked it to the tragic deaths of 11 children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. The ban, which came into effect on October 1, 2025, has been enforced across the state following a preliminary investigation that raised serious concerns about the syrup’s safety and composition. Officials from the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) confirmed that the product was manufactured by a Chennai-based pharmaceutical company.
Health authorities swiftly initiated inspections at the manufacturing facility located in Sunguvarchathram, Kancheepuram district. During the inspection, multiple samples of the syrup were collected for laboratory analysis to determine whether toxic or substandard ingredients were used in production. Officials said that the move was part of a precautionary measure to prevent further harm while awaiting detailed forensic reports. The Tamil Nadu FSDA also issued a statewide advisory to pharmacies and distributors to withdraw Coldrif stocks immediately.
The central government has meanwhile urged all states to enhance monitoring of cough syrup production and sales, especially those intended for pediatric use. This incident has once again highlighted the growing concerns over pharmaceutical quality control in India’s domestic drug market. Experts are calling for stricter enforcement of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and stronger coordination between state drug regulators to avoid similar tragedies in the future.
