Madhya Pradesh Doctor Who Prescribed Deadly Cough Syrup To Children Arrested

Mangalore Today News Network

Bhopal, Oct 5, 2025: The death of 11 children in Madhya Pradesh, allegedly after consuming a cough syrup, has triggered outrage and swift government action, including a ban on the medicine. The doctor in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara who prescribed Coldrif syrup to children has been arrested on Sunday. Most of the children were treated at the clinic of Praveen Soni, a paediatrician in Parasia.

The syrup, identified as Coldrif, was found to contain toxic levels of diethylene glycol (DEG) — an industrial chemical used in antifreeze and brake fluids. Laboratory analysis confirmed DEG concentrations ranging between 46.28% and 48.6%, far exceeding permissible limits.

Soni, a government doctor who prescribed the syrup to children during their visit to his private clinic, was also suspended.

The Madhya Pradesh government also filed a case against Srisan Pharmaceuticals, a company based in Tamil Nadu’s Kanchipuram district that manufactured the Coldrif cough syrup.

According to investigators, children who consumed the syrup developed high fever and severe difficulty in urination, eventually leading to kidney failure. Initial reports attributed the deaths to severe cough and cold, but a probe by the Block Medical Officer revealed that the contaminated syrup was responsible.

Police have launched an investigation, while health authorities have stepped up checks on similar formulations to prevent further casualties.