Goa, Oct. 14 -- In a major health alert, the World Health Organization (WHO) on October 13, flagged three Indian-made cough syrups- Coldrif, Respifresh TR, and ReLife as dangerous and potentially life-threatening. These products, produced by Sresan Pharmaceuticals, Rednex Pharmaceuticals, and Shape Pharma, contained diethylene glycol (DEG), a toxic chemical linked to the deaths of over 20 children in Madhya Pradesh.

The contaminated syrups were used primarily in children under five years old. Tests revealed DEG levels nearly 500 times higher than the permissible limit, causing severe kidney failure, vomiting, fever, and in some cases, death. The Indian drug regulator, CDSCO, confirmed that none of these products were exported, and the US...