World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a stern warning against three contaminated cough syrups circulating within the country, following the tragic deaths of at least 22 children in Madhya Pradesh. The alert highlights specific batches of Coldrif from Sresan Pharmaceuticals, Respifresh TR from Rednex Pharmaceuticals, and ReLife from Shape Pharma, all tainted with lethal levels of diethylene glycol (DEG)—a toxic industrial solvent that has no place in medicine.

Lab analyses revealed DEG concentrations spiking up to 500 times the safe limit of 0.1%, turning these everyday remedies into potential poisons. The victims, all under five years old and mostly from Parasia village in Chhindwara district, allegedly fell ill after consuming Coldrif, sparking outrage and swift action. Sresan Pharmaceuticals, based in Tamil Nadu, saw its manufacturing license permanently revoked, with owner G Ranganathan thrown behind bars amid a broader probe into the firm's operations.

The WHO's global medical product alert urges nations worldwide to vigilantly scan for these batches and report any sightings immediately, emphasizing the syrups' capacity to trigger severe organ failure and death. Fortunately, India's Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) assured the agency that none of the tainted products were exported, a claim echoed by U.S. authorities who confirmed no shipments reached their shores.

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This incident echoes past horrors, like previous DEG-laced syrup scandals that claimed hundreds of lives globally. In response, Indian authorities have ramped up inspections across Tamil Nadu's drug makers and issued nationwide guidelines: Avoid prescribing cough syrups to kids under two, and exercise extreme caution for those under five. As investigations deepen, parents and regulators are left grappling with a stark reminder—trust in over-the-counter meds has been shattered, demanding tighter oversight to prevent more heartbreak.

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