Key Facts
• October 8, Indian police arrested the CEO of Suresan Pharma.
• At least 17 children under five died in Madhya Pradesh from toxic cough syrup.
• The syrup, ‘Cold Relief,’ contained diethylene glycol at 500 times the permissible level.
• Deaths occurred over the past month, all linked to ‘Cold Relief.’
• On October 2, tests confirmed the presence of diethylene glycol in the product.
• ‘Cold Relief’ sales were banned in some regions following the test results.
• India tightened export inspections for cough syrups in 2023 after similar incidents.
• WHO criticized India’s syrup testing system and noted unofficial exports.
• Two additional cough syrups were recently added to India’s restricted purchase list.
Summary
Indian authorities arrested the CEO of Suresan Pharma on October 8 after at least 17 children under five died in Madhya Pradesh due to toxic contamination in the company’s cough syrup, ‘Cold Relief.’ Tests revealed the syrup contained diethylene glycol at 500 times the safe limit. The product has since been banned in certain areas. This incident follows India’s 2023 tightening of export inspections for cough syrups after similar fatalities. The WHO has criticized India’s testing system and highlighted issues with unofficial exports. Two additional syrups were recently restricted for domestic purchase.
