The manufacturer of Coldrif Cough Syrup, linked to the deaths of over 16 innocent children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, Sresan Pharmaceuticals Limited, has been listed as “Strike Off” in official records since 2009. This revelation has raised serious questions about the functioning of the country’s health department.
SNPNEWS.IN News Update By Gurmail Kamboj: From August 24, 2025, to the present, over 16 children have died in Madhya Pradesh (Chhindwara) and Rajasthan (Sikar, Bharatpur, and Churu) after consuming Coldrif Cough Syrup manufactured by Sresan Pharmaceuticals Limited.
According to information, the children were suffering from cough and cold, and doctors prescribed Coldrif Syrup as part of routine treatment. This led to kidney failure in the children, caused by a toxic chemical, Diethylene Glycol (DEG). Laboratory tests revealed that the syrup contained 48.6% DEG, far exceeding the permissible limit of 0.1%.
Upon gathering detailed information about Sresan Pharmaceuticals Limited, shocking facts have emerged, casting doubts on the performance of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and its authorities.
According to available information, Sresan Pharmaceuticals Limited was registered in Chennai (Tamil Nadu) on October 25, 1990. Since 2009, the company has not filed any financial or regulatory reports, leading the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) to mark it as “Strike Off.” This means the company has not legally existed on paper for the past 16 years.
Currently, another unit named Sresan Pharmaceutical Maker is operating, and inspections of its factory revealed numerous deficiencies. Additionally, some unauthorized sources claim that Coldrif and other products manufactured by Sresan Pharmaceutical Maker are being labeled as products of Sresan Pharmaceuticals Limited. This has put the company and its operations under scrutiny, as producing or selling under the name of a “Strike Off” company is illegal.
The Union Health Ministry issued an advisory on October 3, 2025, stating that cold medicines should not be given to children under 2 years of age. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has initiated inspections of 19 factories linked to the company across six states. The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has collected samples for testing.
The NHRC has issued notices to Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. One doctor, Praveen Soni, has been suspended, and an FIR has been filed against him. A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Supreme Court.
The Madhya Pradesh government imposed a ban on Coldrif and all products of Sresan Pharma (Tamil Nadu) on October 4, 2025, and all batches were seized from the market. Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Telangana, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat have also banned the company’s medicines and initiated investigations.