Overview

• Government drug labs in Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh reported around 46–48.6% diethylene glycol in Coldrif batch SR‑13, declaring it not of standard quality and unsafe for human use.
• Media reports put child deaths linked to the syrup in Madhya Pradesh at 15–16, with three reported in Rajasthan, as an additional toddler death was recorded in Nagpur.
• Madhya Pradesh banned two more cough syrups—Relife and Respifresh TR—after finding toxic impurities and sought a probe from Gujarat authorities into the manufacturers.
• Multiple states moved to block distribution and seize stocks: Punjab, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh and others banned Coldrif, Haryana launched inspections focused on glycol impurities, and Kerala set up a panel to tighten paediatric cough‑syrup use.
• Clinicians at GMCH Nagpur and other centers reported improved outcomes using fomepizole with dialysis for suspected diethylene glycol toxicity, emphasizing early administration.