Overview

• Authorities report 12 pediatric deaths since late August in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan after cold-like illness progressed to kidney failure, with most cases in Chhindwara.
• A joint NCDC–NIV–CDSCO team found no diethylene glycol or ethylene glycol in cough syrup samples from MP, and the state FDA likewise reported absence of DEG/EG in three tests.
• For the Rajasthan cases, officials said the product lacked propylene glycol and noted it was a dextromethorphan formulation that is not recommended for paediatric use.
• The DGHS issued a nationwide advisory instructing clinicians not to prescribe cough and cold medicines to children under two and urging cautious, short-duration use only after evaluation in older children.
• Tamil Nadu’s Drugs Control Department reported DEG adulteration in Coldrif batch SR-13 and ordered stop-production, while investigators probe environmental sources after one leptospirosis finding and officials pause sales of specific syrups and Kaysans supplies pending results.