Tamil Nadu cough syrup linked to child deaths license revoked

At least 20 children have died after consuming a cough syrup manufactured by a Tamil Nadu firm, prompting the state to revoke the company's licence, authorities to launch criminal and financial probes, and the World Health Organization to issue a global alert. The product, sold under the brand name Coldrif and made by Sresan Pharmaceutical Manufacturer in Kanchipuram district, was linked to clusters of pediatric illnesses and deaths reported since late September, chiefly in Madhya Pradesh and with additional cases in Rajasthan.

State laboratory tests and central regulators found the syrup contaminated with diethylene glycol, an industrial solvent that is toxic if ingested. Tests on the implicated batch showed diethylene glycol levels of roughly 48.6 percent, far above the pharmacopoeial impurity limit of 0.1 percent. Symptoms among affected children included vomiting, reduced urine output and rapid onset kidney injury consistent with acute renal failure, according to health officials. The WHO said the clinical picture was consistent with acute renal failure and acute encephalitis syndrome and that it stood ready to support national authorities in the investigation.