Story perspectives

WHO Alerts on Contaminated Cough Syrups Linked to 17 Deaths

10/14/2025

Summary

Story summary

The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a health advisory on October 13, 2025, about three Indian cough syrups—Coldrif, Respifresh TR, and ReLife—that contain diethylene glycol nearly 500 times the permissible limit.
The contamination is linked to 17 deaths of children under five in Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh.
The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) confirmed none of the contaminated syrups have been exported and there is no evidence of illegal export.

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Story summary

The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a health advisory on October 13, 2025, about three Indian cough syrups—Coldrif, Respifresh TR, and ReLife—that contain diethylene glycol nearly 500 times the permissible limit.
The contamination is linked to 17 deaths of children under five in Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh.
The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) confirmed none of the contaminated syrups have been exported and there is no evidence of illegal export.