Doctor Detained, Pharma Firm Blamed as Toxic Cough Syrup Kills 11 in MP

What began as a bout of seasonal fever turned into a nightmare for families in Parasia, Madhya Pradesh. Eleven children have lost their lives after allegedly consuming a contaminated cough syrup prescribed by their local paediatrician, Dr. Praveen Soni. The syrup in question - Coldrif, manufactured by Tamil Nadu-based Srisan Pharmaceuticals - has now been linked to the horrifying deaths that have shaken the state.

A Deadly Dose

The tragedy unfolded when children suffering from mild cold and fever were given routine medicines, including Coldrif syrup. Initially, parents saw signs of recovery. But within days, symptoms worsened - children stopped passing urine, their condition deteriorated rapidly, and one by one, their kidneys failed.
Post-mortem findings confirmed the unthinkable: the syrup contained diethylene glycol, a lethal industrial chemical often used in antifreeze.

Laboratory tests conducted at Chennai's Drug Testing Laboratory revealed a shocking concentration - 48.6% diethylene glycol - rendering the syrup "Not of Standard Quality." Following the revelation, authorities immediately banned Coldrif and another syrup, Nextro-DS, pending further test results.

The Crackdown Begins

Reacting to the mounting outrage, the Madhya Pradesh government swiftly ordered the arrest of Dr. Soni and launched criminal proceedings against Srisan Pharmaceuticals.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, visibly distressed, vowed to ensure justice:

"The deaths of children in Chhindwara due to Coldrif syrup are extremely tragic. We have banned the sale of this syrup across Madhya Pradesh and halted the distribution of all other products from the same company."

Nationwide Shock and Investigation

The Chief Minister revealed that the production unit in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, is under scrutiny. Tamil Nadu's Directorate of Drug Control confirmed Coldrif's test failure and alerted central authorities.
A state-level probe team has been formed in Madhya Pradesh to coordinate with Tamil Nadu investigators. Local police have sealed medical stores linked to the sale, while forensic teams continue collecting evidence.

"The guilty will not be spared at any cost," Yadav declared, calling it a tragedy that should never have happened.

A Community in Mourning

In the narrow lanes of Parasia, grief has gripped every household. Toys lie untouched, tiny shoes rest by empty beds, and anguished parents hold up syrup bottles - the very medicine they believed would heal their children.