Killer Cough Syrup Factory Exposed: Rust, Filth, and 16 Child Deaths

Toxic Chemicals Bought in Cash and Unchecked Factory Conditions Led to 16 Child Deaths from Coldrif Syrup

A factory in Tamil Nadu, where the deadly Coldrif cough syrup was made, stands as a chilling testament to violations, contamination, and negligence. No qualified chemist oversaw operations. Raw materials went untested. A lethal mix claimed 16 children’s lives in Madhya Pradesh.

Inside the Factory of Negligence

When inspectors entered the facility in Kancheepuram, they found vats of chemicals heated on gas stoves, plastic pipes dripping residue, and rusted equipment everywhere. Workers were seen mixing ingredients without gloves or masks. Broken air filters, zero ventilation systems, pest infestations, and open drains remained unchecked.

The report by Tamil Nadu’s Drugs Control Department catalogued 39 critical and 325 major violations under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. The facility lacked pharmacovigilance, so no system tracked harm or recalls.

Instead of pharmaceutical-grade sources, the company bought industrial chemicals. Propylene glycol came from local chemical dealers. No tests were run for deadly contaminants such as diethylene glycol (DEG) or ethylene glycol (EG).

Tragedy and the Search for Accountability

The fatal batch, SR-13, revealed 48.6 % diethylene glycol, almost 500 times the safe limit. It is a chemical used in ink, glues, and antifreeze, which attacks the kidneys, liver, and nervous system. This batch also reached Tamil Nadu, Odisha, and Puducherry. 

Children in Chhindwara who consumed Coldrif between August and September 2025 developed acute kidney failure. While six died early on, the death toll quickly climbed to 16. These victims were mostly under the age of five. 

The Tamil Nadu government banned Coldrif on October 1 and froze all stock. Authorities issued a show-cause notice and suspended the manufacturer’s license.

In Madhya Pradesh, the government suspended two drug inspectors and a deputy director. The Drug Controller got transferred. An MP doctor who prescribed Coldrif was arrested.

Families still demand accountability. A probe now spans from raw chemical sourcing in Chennai to distribution in MP. A senior health official called the tragedy “a complete system collapse.”

This is not just one case. Earlier tragedies in Gambia and Uzbekistan tied to Indian cough syrup makers highlight systemic gaps. Until enforcement, regulation, and transparency are strengthened, drugs meant to heal may destroy.