Hyderabad: Telangana has expanded inspections at pharmacies and paediatric facilities after reports from Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan linked Coldrif cough syrup to 14 child deaths. The state shifted to emergency mode, combining product recalls, medical advisories, and public awareness efforts.
The Health Department outlined three clear priorities. First, protect infants: avoid cough syrups for children under two years. For a minor cough, use home remedies, fluids, and rest. Second, ensure quality: doctors must prescribe only GMP-certified syrups and verify every supplier. Third, remove risk: locate and recall all suspect stocks immediately.
Telangana intensifies Coldrif cough syrup recall
The focus remains on batch SR-13 (manufactured May 2025, expiry April 2027), suspected to contain diethylene glycol. District Drug Control teams are identifying and collecting the batch from markets. Retailers must stop sales, separate bottles in stock, and share purchase records to make tracing easier and transparent.
Meanwhile, doctors have been told to monitor and report any side effects possibly linked to Coldrif through official pharmacovigilance channels. Warning signs in infants include breathing problems, high fever, unusual drowsiness, vomiting, or poor feeding. Parents should never self-medicate and must seek treatment quickly if these symptoms appear.
In addition, District Medical and Health Officers will conduct awareness drives across government and private hospitals. The department is also releasing multilingual notices so families can identify the affected batch and follow recall steps correctly. Moreover, laboratories are on standby for confirmatory testing whenever needed.
To simplify reporting, the toll-free number 1800-599-6969 will receive complaints about SR-13 stock, sales, and adverse events. Officials said early reporting helps remove remaining bottles faster and prevents further harm.
The department described the steps as precautionary but stressed that every directive is mandatory. It urged strict compliance with the under-two advisory, GMP-only sourcing, and recall procedures. Therefore, with inspections continuing and helplines open, Telangana aims to protect children and restore public confidence in the healthcare system.
