Bhopal, Oct 4 (NationPress) The Madhya Pradesh government has enacted a comprehensive prohibition on the sale and distribution of 'Coldrif' cough syrup, following a directive from Chief Minister Mohan Yadav.

This action comes after the tragic deaths of nine children and concerning laboratory results that indicated the presence of diethylene glycol, a harmful industrial solvent, within the syrup.

Laboratory tests confirmed that the syrup contained an alarming 48.6 percent weight-by-volume of this toxic chemical, known to cause acute kidney failure, which has been linked to multiple child fatalities in Chhindwara district.

On his X handle, the Chief Minister stated, "The loss of children in Chhindwara due to Coldrif syrup is profoundly tragic. The sale of this syrup has been prohibited statewide. Additionally, the sale of other products produced by the relevant company is also banned. The manufacturing facility is located in Kanchipuram, and the state government has requested the Tamil Nadu government to conduct an investigation. We received the investigation report this morning, and strict measures have been implemented based on its findings."

"In response to these heartbreaking deaths, actions are being taken at the local level. A dedicated team has been established to investigate this issue at the state level. Those responsible will face severe consequences," he remarked.

The official directive from the Drug Control Department has mandated all district drug inspectors to promptly stop the sale of Coldrif syrup and ensure that no stock is available for public consumption.

Any remaining stock must be secured with strict orders not to dispose of it. Inspectors have been instructed to collect samples manually and send them to specified drug testing laboratories for immediate analysis, as stated in the order.

The directive also requires that any other batches of the syrup, if discovered in any jurisdiction, be similarly secured and tested in accordance with the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.

In a wider effort to protect public health, the government has also halted the sale and distribution of all pharmaceutical products produced by Srisan Pharmaceuticals, the company responsible for Coldrif Syrup.

This firm, located in Sunguvachatram, Kanchipuram district of Tamil Nadu, is now under scrutiny, and legal samples of its products are being gathered for further examination.

Authorities have been directed to maintain rigorous oversight on the distribution of Coldrif Syrup and ensure complete compliance with the ban. This decisive action follows the tragic deaths of nine children in Chhindwara, who reportedly consumed tainted cough syrup and subsequently experienced kidney failure. The incident stirred significant concern and initiated a high-level investigation involving national health agencies.

Health officials are advising parents and caregivers to refrain from administering Coldrif Syrup and to report any negative reactions in children to the nearest healthcare facility.