Kerala's Urgent Health Alert: Toxic Coldrif Cough Syrup Banned Statewide

A significant public health alert has gripped Kerala as authorities move swiftly to ban the sale of 'Coldrif' cough syrup across the entire state. The drastic measure comes after alarming quality control tests revealed the presence of diethylene glycol, a highly toxic chemical, in samples of the widely used medication, sparking immediate concern from health officials and the public.

The Drugs Control Department initiated the comprehensive ban following rigorous laboratory analysis.

Samples of Coldrif, manufactured by Afive Pharma in Himachal Pradesh, were collected from various medical shops in Kannur. These tests conclusively showed contamination with diethylene glycol, a substance notorious for its severe health risks.

Diethylene glycol is not merely an impurity; it's a hazardous chemical with devastating potential.

Ingesting it can lead to acute kidney failure, neurological damage, and in many cases, death. Its presence in a commonly used over-the-counter medication like cough syrup underscores a critical breach in pharmaceutical quality control and poses an immediate threat to consumers.

Upon receiving the confirmation of contamination, the Drugs Controller issued an urgent order, instructing all district and zonal drug inspectors to halt the sale, distribution, and stock of Coldrif cough syrup immediately.

Medical shop owners have been directed to recall all existing stock of the syrup, ensuring no further units reach consumers.

The department has also taken the proactive step of issuing a public warning. While acknowledging that only samples from Kannur have tested positive so far, the statewide ban is a precautionary measure to safeguard the entire population.

Doctors and pharmacists have been specifically advised against prescribing or dispensing Coldrif, urging them to check their inventories and remove any remaining stock.

This incident painfully echoes previous international pharmaceutical tragedies, where contaminated cough syrups containing diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol led to mass casualties, particularly among children, in countries like Gambia and Uzbekistan.

Such past events highlight the critical importance of stringent quality control in drug manufacturing and the vigilance required from regulatory bodies.

Kerala's swift action aims to prevent any potential health crisis and protect its citizens from the dangers of this tainted medication. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the continuous need for robust regulatory oversight and quality assurance across the pharmaceutical supply chain to ensure the safety of all medicines available to the public.