October 10, 2025

CHHINDHWARA, INDIA — A heartbreaking tragedy strikes as 21 children, all aged five or younger, lost their lives after taking a cough syrup made by Sresan Pharma. The owner, 75-year-old G. Ranganathan, was arrested on charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder and drug adulteration. The deadly medicine, sold under the brand name Coldrif, contained diethylene glycol, a highly toxic chemical. Shockingly, tests revealed its amount was nearly 500 times above the safe limit! Most victims lived in Madhya Pradesh, where this syrup was prescribed to them just last month. The deadly syrup was quickly banned in several parts of India after officials discovered the poison. The horrifying fact is that swallowing even a small bit of diethylene glycol can be fatal. This tragic event sadly is not new to India. In 2022, over 70 children died in Gambia after using a cough syrup imported from India. Between 2022 and 2023, 68 children in Uzbekistan lost their lives due to a different Indian-made cough syrup. Reuters reports that India is the world’s third-largest drug producer after the U.S. and China, supplying 40% of generic medicines used in the U.S. The case has shocked many and brought attention to drug safety. As investigations continue, the arrest of G. Ranganathan sends a strong message on accountability in the pharmaceutical industry. Families mourn these young lives while warnings spread to prevent further tragedies involving unsafe medicines.

Read More at News →

Tags: India, Cough syrup, Child deaths, G. ranganathan, Sresan pharma, Diethylene glycol,