Coldrif cough syrup banned in Bengal after little one deaths linked to it in Madhya Pradesh

The Bengal Chemists and Druggists Association (BCDA) on Thursday (October 9, 2025) directed all retail and wholesale drugs sellers within the state to halt the sale and buy of the Coldrif cough syrup with rapid impact, an official mentioned.

The directive was issued within the backdrop of the deaths of a number of kids in Madhya Pradesh, allegedly after consuming the cough syrup.

In an advisory, the BCDA warned towards stocking the cough syrup, he mentioned.

“The batch linked to the Madhya Pradesh incident has not entered West Bengal, but as a precautionary measure, we have informed all sellers to stop its sale,” BCDA secretary Prithwi Basu mentioned.

A gathering with drugs retailers has been scheduled on October 11 to strengthen the advisory, he added.

The improvement comes amid rising concern over the security of over-the-counter cough syrups. The producer of Coldrif, a Tamil Nadu-based agency, has been arrested following the deaths, which triggered panic in a number of states, together with West Bengal.

Reports point out the syrup comprises chemical substances comparable to propylene glycol, glycerin, and sorbitol.

Incidentally, the West Bengal State Drug Control Board has directed that these elements be sourced solely from permitted distributors and examined in licensed labs. Test stories are to be submitted to the board’s licensing authority.

Paediatricians, nevertheless, warn that the true risk might lie elsewhere.

Institute of Child Health Principal Dr Jaydeb Roy mentioned that inner findings recommend the presence of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol within the syrup — each recognized to trigger acute kidney harm.

“This isn’t the first time such an incident has occurred. Vigilance is key,” Dr Roy mentioned, additional cautioning towards indiscriminate use of cough syrups in kids.

“Infants often can’t expel mucus even if thinned by syrups. Giving such medication without medical advice can be dangerous,” he mentioned, including that the pattern of shopping for medicines primarily based on web searches is deeply worrying.