Toxic cough syrup deaths trigger nationwide drug reform:Centre makes DEG and EG testing mandatory in all oral syrups; 25 children died in MP

After the deaths of 25 children due to the toxic cough syrup Coldrif in Chhindwara and Betul districts of Madhya Pradesh, the shockwaves of the tragedy have reached New Delhi. The central government has now made testing for Diethylene Glycol (DEG) and Ethylene Glycol (EG) mandatory for every oral liquid syrup manufactured in the country. If more than 0.1% DEG or EG is detected in any sample, it will now be classified as “Not of Standard Quality (NSQ)”. This marks a major shift in India’s drug safety framework. MP report triggers amendment in National Drug manual The move follows a detailed report submitted to the Centre by Madhya Pradesh Drug Controller Dinesh Srivastava. On 9 October 2025, Srivastava sent a dossier to the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI), citing laboratory findings from Chhindwara. The report revealed that Coldrif syrup (batch number SR-13) contained a shocking 46.28% diethylene glycol, a level proven to be fatally toxic. It also pointed out a critical loophole — that testing for DEG and EG was not mandatory under the existing Indian Pharmacopoeia standards. This omission, the report stated, was the biggest reason behind the tragedy. Central government acts within 24 hours Responding swiftly, the DCGI took cognisance of the report within 24 hours. On 10 October 2025, the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) amended the 9th Edition of the Indian Pharmacopoeia (EOIP-2022). The changes were circulated to drug controllers, pharmaceutical associations, laboratory heads, and industry bodies nationwide. The amendment stated: “Based on scientific suggestions, immediate changes are being made in the monographs of some medicines. Now, testing for DEG and EG will be mandatory in both raw material and finished product.” This marks one of the fastest responses ever recorded in India’s drug regulation system. Silent suspension of cough syrups in MP In the wake of the tragedy, a silent ban has been enforced on four types of cough syrups in Madhya Pradesh’s government hospitals. There was no public order or written directive—only a quiet data removal from the state’s supply system. Nearly five lakh bottles of these syrups are now lying unused in hospital storerooms across the state, including in Bhopal. The Madhya Pradesh Public Health Services Corporation (MPPHSCL) has locked the products in its software, halting both procurement and distribution. All syrups are currently undergoing testing in NABL-accredited laboratories, and none will be distributed to patients until the reports are cleared. 4 syrups on the stop list The following syrups have been removed from the state supply and are under scrutiny: Precautionary ban in Rajasthan too The same formulations were also part of Rajasthan’s government medical supply. Following reports of one child’s death and illness among some doctors who had consumed the syrups, the state suspended their distribution as a precautionary measure. Samples of all four syrups have been sent for testing, and distribution will remain on hold until the reports are received. So far, three of the four samples have been found to meet safety standards. Nationwide wake-up call The Chhindwara incident has become a turning point for India’s pharmaceutical regulation. By enforcing DEG and EG testing across all oral syrups, the government aims to prevent similar tragedies from occurring. The swift coordination between the state and Centre demonstrates a new urgency in drug safety oversight, one born out of a devastating loss of young lives.