A tragic incident involving contaminated cough syrup has led to the deaths of eleven children in Madhya Pradesh. Consequently, authorities arrested Dr. Praveen Soni, who prescribed Coldrif syrup, now identified as the cause of these fatalities. Moreover, police also booked Sresan Pharmaceuticals, the Tamil Nadu-based manufacturer, after tests confirmed the syrup contained toxic diethylene glycol (DEG). This severe event has, therefore, prompted a significant regulatory crackdown and raised national concerns about drug safety.
The Chhindwara Tragedy: Doctor Arrested
Dr. Praveen Soni, a government paediatrician, faced arrest following the deaths of 11 children under five years old. Most of these children received treatment at his clinic in Parasia, Chhindwara, after presenting with cold, cough, and fever symptoms. Authorities lodged the First Information Report (FIR) under Sections 105 and 276 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 27(a) of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. Dr. Ankit Sahlam, Block Medical Officer, filed the complaint. Furthermore, Commissioner Health, Tarun Rathi, suspended Dr. Soni from his official duties for conducting private practice and prescribing the implicated medicine.
Understanding Diethylene Glycol (DEG) Contamination
Laboratory reports confirmed that Coldrif Syrup (Batch No. SR-13) contained dangerously high levels of diethylene glycol (DEG). The Tamil Nadu Drugs Control Department’s report, dated October 2, 2025, showed 48.6% DEG, while Bhopal’s government Drug Testing Laboratory found 46.28%. Both reports declared the samples “adulterated and injurious to health”. Significantly, DEG, commonly used in antifreeze and brake fluids, causes acute kidney failure and death upon ingestion, making its presence in cough syrup highly lethal.
Symptoms and Victims of the Poisoned Cough Syrup
Children who consumed the syrup developed reduced urine output, alongside elevated creatinine and urea levels. These symptoms are consistent with acute kidney injury. Tragically, ten children died during treatment at Nagpur’s Government Medical College and Hospital. The FIR specifically mentioned Vikas Yaduvanshi, a four-year-old victim whose kidney biopsy confirmed acute tubular injury. Other young victims, including Shivam Rathore (4), Vidhi Namita (3), and Yogita Thakre (2), also succumbed between September 4 and October 4, 2025. Additionally, six more children remain hospitalised in Nagpur with kidney complications.
Regulatory Response and National Alarm
Madhya Pradesh immediately banned Coldrif syrup and all other medicines from Sresan Pharmaceuticals. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh for each deceased child’s family and committed to covering treatment costs for hospitalized children. This incident, along with similar reports from Rajasthan, has sparked nationwide concern. Consequently, the Central Drug Standards Control Organisation (CDSCO) initiated risk-based inspections of drug manufacturing units across six states: Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, MP, and Maharashtra. These inspections focus on cough syrups, antipyretics, and antibiotics, aiming to prevent future tragedies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What caused the deaths of the children in Madhya Pradesh?
A1: The children died from acute kidney failure after consuming Coldrif cough syrup, which was found to be contaminated with high levels of diethylene glycol (DEG).
Q2: What is Diethylene Glycol (DEG) and why is it dangerous?
A2: Diethylene glycol (DEG) is a poisonous industrial chemical used in products like antifreeze and brake fluids. When ingested, even in small amounts, it can cause severe kidney damage and death. For healthcare professionals seeking to understand and manage such critical situations, courses on safe prescribing and general general practice can provide foundational knowledge.
Q3: What actions have authorities taken in response to this incident?
A3: Authorities arrested Dr. Praveen Soni for prescribing the syrup and booked the manufacturer, Sresan Pharmaceuticals. Madhya Pradesh banned Coldrif syrup and other products from the company. Furthermore, the Central Drug Standards Control Organisation launched inspections of drug manufacturing units nationwide.
References
- 11 children deaths in MP: Doctor who prescribed ‘poisoned’ cough syrup arrested – ETHealthworld
- India probes possible cough syrup link to deaths of at least nine children – Al Jazeera
- 11 children deaths in MP: Doctor who prescribed ‘poisoned’ cough syrup arrested; Tamil Nadu-based firm booked | Bhopal News – The Times of India
- Doctor arrested after 11 children die in Madhya Pradesh from toxic cough syrup
- What are DEG and EG, the cough syrup contaminants linked to child deaths in MP?
Disclaimer: This article was automatically generated from publicly available sources and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. OC Academy does not exercise editorial control or claim authorship over this content. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider and refer to current local and national clinical guidelines.