Drinking cough syrup can also be fatal; so many children died in these two states.
- bySherya
- 04 Oct, 2025

Deadly Cough Syrup: The deaths of children in two states sparked a stir over cough syrup. An investigation revealed shocking facts, prompting the health department to take immediate action. Learn the full story.

Deadly Cough Syrup: Recent news from Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan has shocked the entire nation. Eleven innocent children have died in these two states so far. Initial investigations have revealed that two brands of cough syrup may be the cause of these deaths. As soon as this matter came to light, the health departments of both states immediately banned the sale and distribution of these syrups.
Samples have been sent to labs for testing, and medical teams from the central to state levels have been activated. Doctors and pharmacy stores have been instructed not to prescribe these syrups to any child, even if the cough and cold symptoms appear minor. Investigation teams are trying to determine what exactly was found in the syrup that claimed the lives of the children.
Dangerous chemicals found in syrup
Preliminary investigations have revealed the presence of a toxic chemical called diethylene glycol in the syrups, the same chemical that has previously caused deaths in children in several countries. These syrups are reportedly named Coldrif Cough Syrup and Nexa DS Cough Syrup. According to officials, the company that manufactured the syrups failed to comply with all safety testing standards.
The drug was released into the market without thorough testing. Now, the FSSAI and the Drug Control Department have ordered the immediate recall of every bottle from that batch. Pharmacists have also been put on alert to prevent anyone from accidentally selling these drugs.
Such deaths also occurred in Gambia and Uzbekistan.
This isn't the first time cough syrup has claimed the lives of children. A similar incident occurred in the African country of Gambia in 2022, where approximately 70 children died due to a toxic syrup. In that case, the syrup was manufactured in India and contained chemicals like diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol. Subsequently, another cough syrup from an Indian company killed 19 children in Uzbekistan.
Following these two incidents, questions were raised internationally about the drug manufacturing processes of Indian pharmaceutical companies. Now, with similar incidents reported in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, the central government has ordered investigations by all state drug departments to ensure that such negligence is not repeated in other states.