Cough syrup poisoning: Death toll of MP kids rises to 17, police team reaches TN to probe drug firm
Poisonous Cough Syrup Tragedy in MP: Death Toll Rises, Two More Children Die In Chhindwara: The deadly cough syrup crisis in Madhya Pradesh has deepened as two more children — three-year-old Vedant Kakudia and two-year-old Jayusha Yaduvanshi — died on Tuesday while receiving treatment in Nagpur. With these latest fatalities, the total death toll linked to the toxic syrup has reached 17.
The tragedy traces back to the use of a contaminated cough syrup known as Coldrif, found to contain dangerously high levels of Diethylene Glycol (DEG) — a toxic compound known to cause kidney failure. The victims, mostly toddlers from Chhindwara district, developed symptoms such as urinary retention and renal failure after consuming the syrup.
The crisis began unfolding when four-year-old Shivam Rathore from Parasia died on September 4 after developing kidney complications. Investigations confirmed DEG poisoning, prompting immediate action.
On August 31, the Chhindwara collector banned the sale of Coldrif and Nestro-DS syrups after DEG was found in biopsy samples. A broader investigation followed this. By October 3, a Tamil Nadu government report revealed Coldrif contained 48.60% DEG — far above permissible limits. Madhya Pradesh’s own labs confirmed 46.20% DEG.
In response, the MP government banned Coldrif statewide and initiated strict measures. On October 6, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav ordered stern action against officials found guilty of negligence.
Central and state health agencies, including the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune, have collected samples of medicine and body fluids to continue investigating the full extent of the crisis.
As grieving families demand justice, the tragedy has sparked national outrage over pharmaceutical oversight and child safety.
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