"Serious violation" NHRC Responds to Mounting Child Deaths from Contaminated Medicine
NHRC orders urgent probe into toxic cough syrups after 14 child deaths in three states.
In a forceful response to a mounting public health crisis, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India issued urgent notices on October 6, 2025, to the governments of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, mandating immediate investigations into the deaths of at least 14 children allegedly caused by contaminated cough syrups. The complaints highlight at least 12 fatalities in Madhya Pradesh's Chhindwara and Vidisha districts, with additional child deaths reported in Rajasthan districts following the consumption of Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide Syrup IP, manufactured by Kaysons Pharma in Jaipur.
The implicated product, Coldrif cough syrup produced by Sresan Pharmaceuticals in Indore, has been flagged for potential adulteration with toxic substances, though initial Union health ministry tests did not detect diethylene glycol (DEG) or ethylene glycol—known kidney toxins. The NHRC, presided over by Member Priyank Kanoongo, invoked the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, emphasizing that these incidents represent a profound violation of children's fundamental rights to life, health, and access to safe medicines.
The NHRC's directives extend beyond state governments to central authorities, including the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), and the Union Health Ministry. These bodies have been ordered to launch a comprehensive probe into the supply chain of spurious drugs, instructing regional labs across the states to collect samples from pharmacies and manufacturers for rigorous testing. The commission specifically required the Chief Drugs Controllers in the affected states to expedite the banning process for the contaminated medicines and submit detailed compliance reports within weeks.
This multi-layered approach aims to trace the contamination source, dismantle illicit distribution networks, and prevent further tragedies, echoing similar scandals in 2023 where DEG-laced syrups killed over 100 children in India and Gambia. States like Karnataka have already issued alerts, halting sales of suspect brands to curb the spread.
Reports indicate the syrups were dispensed without prescriptions in rural clinics and pharmacies, exploiting lax oversight in underserved areas where affordable over-the-counter remedies are a lifeline for low-income families. The NHRC's complaint-driven action underscores systemic failures in drug regulation, including inadequate quality checks at manufacturing units and delays in post-market surveillance, which have allowed substandard products to proliferate amid rising respiratory illnesses in the monsoon season.
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In immediate fallout, the Madhya Pradesh government suspended three Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) officials—a Deputy Controller and two drug inspectors—on October 6 for negligence in monitoring the implicated batches. Several states, including Maharashtra and Bihar, have proactively banned Coldrif and similar syrups, while the CDSCO has initiated a nationwide recall and forensic analysis of Sresan Pharmaceuticals' facilities.
Health experts warn that without stringent enforcement, such lapses could recur, given India's vast pharmaceutical market, which produces 20% of the world's generic drugs but grapples with counterfeit issues. The NHRC has demanded time-bound action plans, including enhanced pharmacovigilance and public awareness campaigns to educate parents on verifying medicine authenticity via QR codes and holograms.
As investigations unfold, this crisis has ignited national outrage and calls for regulatory overhaul, with child rights activists urging the formation of a dedicated task force under the Supreme Court. The NHRC's intervention not only seeks justice for the young victims but also aims to safeguard millions of children from the perils of unregulated pharmaceuticals, potentially setting a precedent for stricter global standards in pediatric medicine safety. With test reports pending and bans rolling out, the coming weeks will test India's resolve to protect its most vulnerable from invisible poisons disguised as cures.
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