Srinagar, October 15 (IANS). The Drug and Food Control Organization (DFCO) of Jammu and Kashmir has banned the sale, distribution and use of three cough syrup brands. This step has been taken when in the lab testing of these medicines it was found that the poisonous substance Diethylene Glycol (DEG) was present in them in quantities more than the prescribed limit.
Let us tell you that DEG is a chemical which is quite poisonous and can cause serious harm to health. Many children have already died in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan due to this poisonous element.
The government statement said that the reason behind this action is the report of the Central Drugs Standard Control Program working under the Health Ministry of the Central Government. In this report, the amount of DEG in these three cough syrup brands was found to be more than the prescribed limit. After receiving this information, the Health Department of Jammu and Kashmir banned these medicines with immediate effect.
These three medicines include Relief Syrup, Respifresh-TR Syrup and Coldrif Syrup. Relief Syrup, which contains ambroxol HCl, terbutaline sulphate, guaifenesin and menthol, is manufactured by Gujarat-based Shape Pharma Pvt Ltd and marketed by Leo Life Science Pvt Ltd. Respifresh-TR syrup, which contains bromhexine hydrochloride, terbutaline sulphate, guaifenesin and menthol, is manufactured by Rednex Pharmaceuticals Limited of Ahmedabad, and sold by Smartway Wellness Private Limited. The third syrup is Coldrif, which contains paracetamol, phenylephrine hydrochloride and chlorpheniramine maleate, manufactured by Srisan Pharmaceuticals of Tamil Nadu.
The quantity of DEG in all these medicines has been found to be more than the standard, due to which they have not been considered to be of standard quality.
The Drug Testing Lab of Food and Drug Administration of Madhya Pradesh has prepared this report, which shows the seriousness of this matter. The Health Department of Jammu and Kashmir has alerted its medical colleges, hospitals and other medical institutions about this matter and has directed all department heads to convey this information to their employees and doctors so that the use of these medicines is stopped. Also, information about the stock of these syrups present in any shops or hospitals is to be immediately given to the State Drug Controller’s Office.
This ban has been imposed in Jammu and Kashmir keeping in mind the safety of children, because toxic elements associated with these syrups have previously resulted in deaths of children in other states. Many states have already banned these syrups, while some states have completely banned the use of cough and cold medicines in children below two years of age.
Additionally, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, has issued an advisory in October 2025 clarifying that cough and cold medicines should not be given to children below two years of age. Even in children up to five years of age, these medicines should be used only on the advice of a doctor. This step has been taken after deaths that have occurred due to the use of cough syrup.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has also expressed its deep concern over this entire matter. WHO has said that there are some weaknesses in India’s drug safety system, due to which toxic medicines reach the market. They also warned that such drugs could also reach other countries through unregulated distribution channels, posing a threat to global health.
Health experts say that cough syrup should be used very carefully in children because sometimes these medicines can prove dangerous for them. Giving these medicines especially to children younger than two years can be risky for health.
The Health Department of Jammu and Kashmir has also appealed to the general public to avoid buying or using these three syrups. If there is any stock of these syrups then immediately inform the concerned authorities. Also, if there is any problem in the child’s health, do not take medicines without consulting the doctor.
–IANS
PK/AS
