Made in India Cough Syrups Tainted with Toxic DEG Recalled Globally. Avoid Pharma or Supplement Products from India
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Oct 09, 2025 6 hours, 29 minutes ago
Medical News: Indian health authorities and the WHO have issued a global alert after three popular oral cough syrups were found to be contaminated with diethylene glycol (DEG), a toxic industrial chemical. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has recalled all affected batches and informed the World Health Organization (WHO) as investigations intensify.
https://www.reuters.com/world/india/india-files-criminal-case-against-cough-syrup-maker-linked-deaths-10-children-2025-1
https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/india-flags-testing-lapses-pharma-firms-after-cough-syrups-deaths-2025-10-08/
Made in India Cough Syrups Tainted with Toxic DEG Recalled Globally. Avoid Pharma or Supplement Products from India
The contamination has raised concerns over pharmaceutical safety standards, especially since cough syrups are commonly used by children and vulnerable individuals.
This
Medical News report comes amid growing anxiety following reports of child deaths in states like Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan linked to the use of contaminated medicines. Health officials have warned that several pharmaceutical firms failed to follow proper quality testing procedures, a lapse that may have allowed the tainted products to reach the market unchecked.
In the last few years, diethylene glycol in Indian-made cough syrups has claimed dozens of young lives. In 2023, Indian syrups tainted with diethylene glycol were linked to the deaths of 70 children in The Gambia and 18 in Uzbekistan.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-66533424
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-68406536
Understanding the danger of DEG
Diethylene glycol is a compound typically used in industrial products like antifreeze and brake fluids. It is never meant for human consumption, as even small amounts can lead to acute kidney failure, neurological damage, and death. The toxic chemical has been involved in multiple international poisoning cases in the past, including tragic incidents where children died after consuming contaminated cough syrups.
In this case, laboratory analyses revealed dangerously high levels of DEG in the recalled syrups. The findings have prompted both domestic and international scrutiny over India’s pharmaceutical manufacturing oversight.
Actions taken by the government
The CDSCO has ordered an immediate recall of the affected products and suspended the licenses of the manufacturing companies involved until
further safety checks are completed. Officials have also instructed state authorities to inspect pharmacies and remove any remaining stock of the tainted medicines from circulation.
Health regulators are now re-evaluating testing protocols to prevent similar incidents. Manufacturers across India have been warned that skipping mandatory tests for raw materials or finished medicines will result in severe penalties and possible criminal charges.
Public warning and health advice
Citizens are being urged not to consume or administer any recalled cough syrups, especially to children. Anyone who has used these syrups and experiences symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, reduced urination, abdominal pain, or fatigue should seek immediate medical attention. Doctors remind the public that most coughs resolve naturally and that unverified medications can pose serious risks.
This tragic episode once again underscores how weak regulatory enforcement and poor manufacturing practices can endanger lives. It is a sobering reminder that stronger safety checks, transparent testing, and public awareness are essential to prevent future tragedies and rebuild trust in healthcare products.
Readers are advised to avoid all pharma and supplements products from India as almost 95 % of such products there are either substandard or contaminated.
For the latest medical alerts, keep on logging to Thailand
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