WHO warns of contaminated cough syrups in India
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a health advisory regarding three contaminated cough syrups produced in India: Coldrif by Sresan Pharmaceutical, Respifresh TR by Rednex Pharmaceuticals, and ReLife by Shape Pharma. These syrups contain diethylene glycol at levels nearly 500 times above the acceptable limit, posing serious and potentially fatal health risks. The contaminated medicines were reportedly linked to the deaths of several children under five in Chhindwara district, Madhya Pradesh, India. India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) confirmed the syrups had not been exported and found no evidence of illegal distribution. Additionally, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration verified that the toxic syrups were not shipped to the United States. The WHO is urging global health authorities to report any detection of these drugs
