Delhi's Urgent Action: Coldrif-12 Cough Syrup Banned Over Deadly Contamination Fears

In a decisive move to safeguard public health, the Delhi government has issued an immediate and sweeping ban on the sale and distribution of Coldrif-12 cough syrup. This urgent directive comes in the wake of confirmed reports of the medication being contaminated with toxic compounds, posing a severe threat to consumers, particularly children.

The cough syrup, manufactured by Daffodills Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd, based in Himachal Pradesh, was found to contain Diethylene Glycol (DEG) and Ethylene Glycol (EG).

These hazardous chemicals are notorious for their lethal effects, having been linked globally to numerous cases of acute kidney injury and tragic deaths, especially among pediatric patients.

While the Delhi government's order does not explicitly cite new, recent deaths directly attributed to Coldrif-12 within its jurisdiction, the ban serves as a critical precautionary measure.

It underscores a heightened state of vigilance by regulatory authorities, largely influenced by past devastating incidents involving similar contaminated cough syrups. Notably, the tragic loss of 12 children in Jammu and Kashmir in 2020 due to another contaminated syrup, 'Coldbest-PC' (though from a different manufacturer, Digital Vision), has amplified the focus on drug safety and stringent quality control.

The ban has been implemented under the authority of Section 18(A) of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.

This legal framework empowers the government to take swift action against pharmaceutical products deemed unsafe or substandard. Consequently, all stockists and retailers across Delhi have been instructed to immediately cease the sale of Coldrif-12 and return their existing inventory.

This public health alert follows earlier warnings from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) regarding the dangers of DEG and EG contamination in medicinal products.

Such incidents highlight a persistent challenge within the pharmaceutical supply chain and emphasize the critical need for continuous, rigorous testing and oversight. The Delhi government's swift response aims to prevent any potential health catastrophes and reaffirms its unwavering commitment to protecting its citizens from potentially fatal medication.