Tamil Nadu govt revokes manufacturing license for Coldrif cough syrup; firm permanently shut down

The Tamil Nadu Drugs Control Department on Monday announced the cancellation of the manufacturing licence of Sresan Pharmaceutical Company, the producer of Coldrif cough syrup, which has been linked to the deaths of at least 22 people in Madhya Pradesh. The state government confirmed that the company has been permanently shut down following investigations that revealed toxic contaminants, specifically Diethylene Glycol (DEG), in its syrup.

What actions has the TN government taken?

The state health department has ordered comprehensive inspections across all pharmaceutical manufacturing units in Tamil Nadu, with large-scale checks currently in progress. Two senior drug inspectors have also been suspended for dereliction of duty.

A Parasia court sent Sresan Pharma owner Ranganathan to 10-day police custody after his arrest on 9 October in Chennai by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) from Madhya Pradesh.

What criticisms have political leaders voiced?

BJP leader K Annamalai criticised the Tamil Nadu government for its handling of the case, accusing it of creating an “illusion” and evading responsibility.

"A drug manufactured by a private pharmaceutical company in Kanchipuram has reportedly caused the deaths of 23 people in Madhya Pradesh and three children in Rajasthan. However, the Tamil Nadu government has suspended only two drug inspectors and is trying to create an illusion that it has no connection or responsibility in this matter," Annamalai said.

He also highlighted that the company had a history of quality violations and that Tamil Nadu drug inspectors failed to conduct proper checks.

"Yesterday, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) took an important decision. This time, the agency has decided that every medicine produced in India must undergo mandatory testing before approval," Annamalai added.

What steps is the DCGI taking?

Following the incident, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has issued a directive to all States and Union Territories, calling for strict compliance with the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, for the testing of raw materials and finished pharmaceutical formulations.

What does this mean for public safety?

The closure of Sresan Pharma and the ongoing inspections aim to prevent similar tragedies and ensure better accountability in India’s pharmaceutical industry. Authorities emphasise that strict adherence to testing norms and regulatory oversight is now critical to protect public health.