India’s drug regulator has inspected nearly 90% of the country’s cough syrup manufacturers and found several compliance issues, the regulator’s chief said on Monday, January 23, 2026. These inspections come amid increased scrutiny after some India-made cough syrups were linked to the deaths of children both in India and abroad.
The inspections were carried out following the discovery of a contaminated cough syrup brand called Coldrif, which contained diethylene glycol—a toxic chemical. This syrup, produced by Sresan Pharmaceutical in Tamil Nadu, was linked to the deaths of 24 children in October last year.
Officials said the regulator is now closely monitoring all syrup manufacturers to ensure products are safe and meet quality standards. The compliance lapses found during inspections include improper manufacturing practices and inadequate safety checks.
Authorities have stressed that protecting children and consumers is the top priority. They are taking strict action against companies that fail to follow safety rules, and efforts are being made to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The regulator also encouraged parents and caregivers to check the quality of cough syrups and buy only from trusted sources. This move is part of a broader initiative to strengthen India’s pharmaceutical safety standards and restore public confidence in medicine safety.