Surendranagar: The administration has stepped up action after over 14 children reportedly died due to consumption of adulterated cough syrups.

Investigations by the Food & Drug Control Administration (FDCA) in Madhya Pradesh revealed that two cough syrups—Re-Life (manufactured by M/s Shape Pharma Pvt. Ltd., Surendranagar) and Respifresh TR (manufactured by M/s Redonex Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd., Ahmedabad)—contained diethylene glycol (DEG) well above permissible limits.

Today, FDCA officials from Gandhinagar conducted an inspection at the Surendranagar-based Shape Pharma Pvt. Ltd. Further investigations are ongoing.

The Gujarat government has already inspected around 500 cough syrup manufacturing companies across the state to determine whether any syrups sold locally contain harmful ingredients. Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Patel clarified that the companies under investigation are not on the “buyer list” of the state-owned medicine procurement entity, Gujarat Medical Services Corporation Ltd (GMSCL).

“We have learnt from media reports that some children have died in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh after consuming cough syrups. Cough syrups containing dextromethorphan and Coldrif syrup were reportedly responsible for these deaths,” Patel told reporters in Gandhinagar. He added that the Health and Family Welfare Department is verifying whether these syrups were procured by GMSCL.

Meanwhile, owners of the Gujarat-based companies under investigation have so far refused to comment. Laboratory tests have revealed high concentrations of diethylene glycol (DEG) in some samples collected from the two companies. The Food and Drugs Commissioner’s office has remained tight-lipped about the findings, while central agencies have also launched a probe into the matter.