Fatal Incidents Trigger Nationwide Cough Syrup Inspections by CDSCO

PharmaGenDRx News Bureau,8th October, 2025

06:00 PM IST

Following the recent reports of fatalities linked with the cough syrups in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has launched a nationwide inspection, risk-based drive across nineteen manufacturing units in six states.This decision was announced as a result of an intrinsic review meeting chaired by the Union Health Secretary, directing all states and Union Territories to ensure strict compliance with Revised Schedule M (Good Manufacturing Practices) and to increase caution on the quality and rationalised use of cough syrups. During the inspection, preliminary tests detected the presence of Diethylene Glycol (DEG), a toxic contaminant, in the syrups. Reaffirming its zero-tolerance policy on substandard, contaminated and inferior drugs, the Health Ministry aims at uncovering gaps, bolstering oversights and safeguarding the public with this initiative to ensure to strengthen faith of the public in Indian Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Standards.

By Arundhuti Chatterjee and Sharon Bose