Questions are constantly being raised on Kapha syrup in India, after which many states have started taking action. After the death of many children from drinking phlegm syrup in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, the Union Health Ministry also issued advisory and said that children below 2 years of age should not give phlegm syrup.

NHRC issued notice to these state governments

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notice to the Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh governments to investigate the allegations of death of children due to contaminated phlegm syrup and impose immediate ban on the sale of fake drugs. A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court in the death of children with cuff syrup. The petitioner has demanded an inquiry under the supervision of the former judge of the Supreme Court of the construction, testing and distribution of medicines. The petition has also been demanded to hand over the investigation of the death of children to the CBI.

Maharashtra government issued warning

The Maharashtra FDA has issued a public warning that Respifresh TR and Releiff Cuff Syrup have more toxic diyethylene glycol (DEG) more than the safe range. Sales, delivery or use are prohibited and licenses must report any stock immediately.

The Tamil Nadu government has released a 44 -page report regarding this, which has made shocking revelations. 39 serious and 325 big flaws came out in Kachipuram, a company that makes a coldfire company.

Big disclosure in Tamil Nadu on Coldrif making company

According to the report, the company was not following the principles of GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) at any level. The company was using the non-pharmacutical grade prophet glycol in the manufacture of cuff syrup instead of the pharmaceutical grade. This chemical was purchased in a 50-50 kg pack on different dates. Payment was made through cash or Google-Pe.

Tamil Nadu government suspended factory license

Diathylene glycol 48.6 percent and ethylene glycols were found in the purchased proposee glycol, which are extremely toxic elements and prove to be fatal for human body. Medications were made and stored in an atmosphere filled with dirt, mud and insects, there was no drain system, causing rats, insects to enter. Tamil Nadu government has suspended the factory license with immediate effect

Coldrif Kapha Syrup ban in Punjab

In Punjab too, Coldrif Kapha Syrup has been banned. Food and Drug Administrator Punjab has taken a decision in view of the deaths in Madhya Pradesh. Dr. Praveen Soni, accused in the Cuff Syrup case in Chhindwara, has been sent to a judicial custody till August 9. There have been 21 deaths in Madhya Pradesh due to Kapha Sairaf, out of which 18 children died in Chhindwara, 2 in Betul, 1 in Pandhurna. In Rajasthan too, there have been three deaths due to Kapha Sairaf.

Coldrif Kapha Syrup ban in Kerala too

In Kerala, Coldrif Cuff Syrup has been banned. State Health Minister Veena George said on Tuesday (7 October 2025) that a committee has been formed to submit a report on the management of cuff syrup. He said that we are making sure that this phlegm syrup should not be sold in private hospitals and drug stores. He further said, “We have already done this in terms of antibiotics and they are being strictly followed in the state.

Coldrif Kapha Syrup has been banned in Uttar Pradesh. Raids are also being conducted in many places in UP to stop the sale of cold -cuff syrup. UP Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak said, “It is very sad that many children have lost their lives after consuming phlegm syrup. Our government never bought such a cuff syrup.”

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The Central Government has issued advisory on the concerns about the possibility of death of children due to consumption of cough medicines (phlegm syrup) in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. Apart from this, the central and state agencies also jointly investigated. Investigation has confirmed that poisonous chemicals are not present in the syrup.

Do not give phlegm syrup to children under 2 years of age

The central government has said that indiscriminate use of phlegm syrup in children can prove to be dangerous. Keeping this in mind, DGHS of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said that children below two years of age should not be given phlegm syrup.

Center and state agencies investigated

Investigations so far have confirmed that toxic chemical dietaline glycol (DEG) or ethylene glycol (EG) is not present in cough drugs. These chemicals are considered to be the cause of severe kidney damage. In the case of Madhya Pradesh, the team of National Center for Disease Control (NCDC), National Institute of Virology (NIV) and Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) went on the spot and investigated.

Many samples were collected with the help of state authorities, including Kapha syrup of various companies. According to the test report, the presence of DEG or EG was not found in any sample. At the same time, Madhya Pradesh State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) has also confirmed this by examining three samples.

Two deaths in Rajasthan

Apart from this, blood/CSF samples of children were examined in NIV Pune, one of which was found to be a case leptospirosis positive. At the same time, investigation of water, mosquito -borne carriers and respiratory samples is still going on. The deaths of two children in Rajasthan were said to be associated with cough medicine. However, the investigation has revealed that the relevant drug did not have propylene glycol, which is considered a possible source of poisonous adulteration like DEG or EG.

It has also been revealed that the concerned drug is dextromethorphon based, which is not recommended to be used in children. The investigation team consists of NCDC, NIV, ICMR, AIIMS Nagpur and state health officers, which are investigating all possible causes.