India Declares Three Cough Syrups ‘Toxic’ After DEG Contamination

While Coldrif was linked to all the child deaths, regulators in India, the world’s third-largest medicine producer have now advised consumers to avoid Respifresh TR and ReLife as well. None of these syrups have been exported, though the WHO warned of potential risks through unregulated channels.

Also Read: Cough Syrup Row: Death Toll Rise To 22 As 2 More Children Succumb

Details of the Three DEG-Contaminated Cough Syrups

Health alerts from Gujarat and other states describe both Respifresh and ReLife as containing DEG, “a toxic chemical that can cause serious poisoning, including kidney failure, neurological complications, and even death, particularly in children.”

COLDRIF

This syrup was linked to the deaths of children from Madhya Pradesh, who mostly died of kidney failure in government hospitals in other states. Produced by Sresan Pharmaceutical Manufacturer in Tamil Nadu, tests found it contained 48.6% diethylene glycol, far above the 0.1% limit set by India and WHO. The syrup has been banned, and the company owner has been arrested.

RESPIFRESH TR

So far, this syrup has not been linked to any deaths. It is manufactured by Rednex Pharmaceuticals in Gujarat and was found to contain 1.342% DEG, according to WHO reports. The syrup has been recalled, and the company has been ordered to halt production of all medical products.

RELIFE

Relife syrup also has not been connected to any deaths. Made by Shape Pharma in Gujarat in January 2025, with an expiry date of December 2026, it was found to contain 0.616% DEG. Like Respifresh, it has been recalled and production of all products by the company has been suspended.

WHO Calls Out Gap in India’s Cough Syrup Testing

In response to nationwide outrage over children’s deaths in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, the WHO highlighted a “regulatory gap” in India regarding the testing for diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol in domestically marketed medicines. The agency also warned that such contaminated products could reach other countries through unregulated channels.

The WHO expressed deep sorrow over the deaths and extended condolences to the families. It said it had contacted the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) for clarification on the contaminated medicines and whether they had been exported. The CDSCO confirmed that DEG was detected in at least three cough syrups, Coldrif, Respifresh TR, and ReLife.

Coldrif Owner Arrested

The owner of Tamil Nadu-based Sresan Pharma, G Ranganathan, was arrested early Thursday morning in connection with the adulterated cough syrup case. The arrest followed the deaths of over 20 children from Madhya Pradesh who had consumed the contaminated syrup allegedly manufactured at the company’s facility. The Tamil Nadu government had previously sealed the factory after the incident came to light.

In the cough syrup-linked deaths, the toll has risen to 22, as two more children succumbed to kidney infection caused by the consumption of "contaminated" cough syrup.

Officials have confirmed that 5-year-old Vishal and 4-year-old Mayank Suryavanshi died on Wednesday evening and late at night, respectively, while they were undergoing treatment at a hospital in Nagpur, which is in Maharashtra - the neighboring state to Madhya Pradesh, where the cough syrup row had begun.

The contaminated cough syrup has severely affected children in Madhya Pradesh's Chhindwara. The deaths of two more children who hailed from Chhindwara have been confirmed by Chhindwara's Additional Collector, Dhirendra Singh Netri. Officials have also confirmed that several other children are undergoing treatment due to the same cough syrup in Nagpur.

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The Madhya Pradesh Police has now formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT), to investigate the deaths. A case has been filed the manufacturer of the cough syrup Coldrif, which is allegedly causing these deaths. The manufacturers are based in Tamil Nadu, and the company is called Sresan Pharma. The SIT has arrested Sresan Pharma owner Ranganathan Govindan from Chennai, as confirmed by PTI. Two drug inspectors in Tamil Nadu have been suspended, and a deputy director of the Food and Drug Administration has transferred the state's drug controller amid the investigation.

Additionally, a Chhindwara-based doctor, Dr Praveen Soni has been arrested for negligence for prescribing the cough syrup. Following his arrest, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has declared to go on an indefinite strike in the district. As per the IMA, pharmaceutical companies and drug controller bodies bear the responsibility for thoroughly testing medicines before they reach the market. Doctors cannot ascertain the quality of components, as only content, not the base, is mentioned on bottles, noted Aparna Shukla, President of IMA, Chhindwara.

What Happened In Madhya Pradesh? What Is The Cough Syrup Row?

Following the deaths of 14 children in Madhya Pradesh's Chhindwara after consuming the toxic cough syrup, the Union Health Ministry has confirmed that the batch of Coldrif manufactured at a Tamil Nadu facility contained diethylene glycol (DEG) beyond safe limits.

Earlier samples collected in Madhya Pradesh had tested negative, but contamination was detected when Tamil Nadu authorities examined the products directly at Sresan Pharma in Kanchipuram.

As a result, several states have now banned the syrup, and the Centre has ordered inspections at 19 pharmaceutical units across 6 states, as per the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW).

Read: Popular Cough Syrup 'Coldrif' Banned For Kids In Several Indian States Due To Presence Of DEG; Why Is It Alarming?

What Does Diethylene Glycol Do?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), diethylene glycol (DEG) and ethylene glycol (EG) are industrial chemicals used in antifreeze, paints, brake fluids, and plastics. They are not intended for medicinal use but can enter drugs if contaminated or if industrial-grade raw materials are used instead of pharmaceutical grade ingredients such as glycerine or propylene glycol.

Once consumed, DEG and EG break down into toxic compounds that can harm the kidneys, liver, and nervous system. Tamil Nadu drug officials found that Coldrif contained 48.6% DEG - is far above safe limits. The Centre has initiated inspections at 19 pharmaceutical units in six states, filed FIRs, and taken regulatory action in multiple regions.

Several children remain hospitalized across states after consuming the syrup. Doctors are providing treatments including dialysis, but they warn that affected children may continue to experience long-term kidney and nerve problems.

A fast-growing form of breast cancer that is often harder to spot on mammograms now accounts for more than one in ten breast cancer cases in the United States, according to a recent American Cancer Society (ACS) report. Invasive lobular carcinoma, the second most common type of breast cancer, is rising at a rate of about 3% annually, more than triple the growth rate of other breast cancer types, the study published Tuesday morning revealed. With these cases increasing across the U.S., it is worth examining what this cancer is and why its prevalence is climbing.

Rare, Dangerous Type Of Breast Cancer On The Rise In The U.S.

Rates of lobular breast cancer are climbing three times faster than other breast cancers, at 2.8% per year compared with 0.8% per year, according to researchers in the October 7 report published in Cancer.

“Although lobular breast cancer represents just over 10% of all breast cancer cases, the number of new diagnoses each year makes it essential to understand,” said Angela Giaquinto, lead researcher and associate scientist for cancer surveillance research at the American Cancer Society (ACS).

“Furthermore, survival rates beyond seven years are notably lower for lobular breast cancer than the most common type, which emphasizes the urgent need for prevention measures and early detection strategies specifically targeting this subtype,” Giaquinto added in a press release.

What Is Invasive Lobular Carcinoma?

Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) is the second most prevalent type of invasive breast cancer. It develops in the milk-producing lobes of the breast and represents roughly 5–15% of all invasive breast cancers. Unlike other breast cancers, ILC grows in single-file lines of cells rather than forming a distinct lump, making it more difficult to detect on mammograms. Symptoms can include thickening or swelling in the breast, changes in breast shape or the nipple, and pain. Surgery is typically part of treatment, while hormone therapy is often central, as ILC is frequently ER-positive.

Invasive Lobular Carcinoma Symptoms

At its early stages, invasive lobular carcinoma may not produce any noticeable symptoms. As it grows, possible signs include:

• Changes in the skin texture or appearance over the breast, such as dimpling or thickening.
• New areas of fullness or swelling in the breast.
• Newly inverted nipples.
• Localized thickening in part of the breast.
• ILC is less likely than other types of breast cancer to form a firm or clearly defined lump.

How Can You Get Invasive Lobular Carcinoma?

The risk factors for invasive lobular carcinoma are similar to those for breast cancer in general. Factors that may increase the risk include:

• Family history of breast cancer: If a parent, sibling, or child had breast cancer, your risk is higher. The risk is particularly elevated if multiple family members were affected or if cancer appeared at a young age. Most people diagnosed with breast cancer, however, do not have a family history.
• Personal history of breast cancer: Having had cancer in one breast increases the risk of developing it in the other breast.
• Personal history of certain breast conditions: Conditions like lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) and atypical hyperplasia indicate a higher risk. A biopsy revealing these conditions also raises your risk.
• Early menstruation: Starting your period before age 12 increases the likelihood of developing breast cancer.
• Late menopause: Beginning menopause after 55 increases risk.
• Dense breast tissue: Breasts composed of more dense tissue than fatty tissue increase both risk and difficulty in detection on mammograms. Discuss additional imaging tests with your doctor if you have dense breasts.
• Alcohol consumption: Drinking alcohol elevates the risk.
• Late first pregnancy: Having your first child after age 30 may increase risk.
• Never having been pregnant: Pregnancy lowers the risk; not being pregnant raises it.
• Inherited DNA changes: Certain inherited gene changes, such as BRCA2 and CDH1, raise the likelihood of ILC. BRCA2 also increases ovarian cancer risk; CDH1 is linked to hereditary diffuse gastric cancer syndrome.
• Menopausal hormone therapy: Some hormone therapies combining estrogen and progesterone can increase risk. Stopping these therapies reduces it.
• Obesity: Being overweight raises the risk of breast cancer.
• Older age: ILC is more likely to occur at older ages compared with other breast cancers.
• Radiation exposure: Receiving radiation to the chest in childhood or young adulthood increases risk.

Consult a healthcare professional if you notice any changes in your breasts, including lumps, unusual skin texture, thickened areas, or nipple discharge. Discuss when to begin routine breast cancer screening and how frequently it should be done. Most doctors suggest starting regular screening in your 40s.

For years, people living with chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis, have struggled to confirm whether they actually have the condition or to recognise its full range of symptoms. Diagnosis has largely depended on ruling out other illnesses such as thyroid problems, anaemia, or depression. As a result, patients have often faced years of uncertainty or received incorrect diagnoses. Now, in a promising scientific development, researchers have identified a blood test that may detect chronic fatigue syndrome with an accuracy rate of 96%.

What Is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), also referred to as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS), is a long-term, multifaceted illness that leaves sufferers drained of energy in ways that ordinary rest cannot fix. According to the National Institutes of Health, this fatigue deepens after even light physical or mental effort—a hallmark called post-exertional malaise. Many cases worsen because the illness remains unrecognised for years. Gaps in medical training, limited awareness, and confusion about how to identify and manage the disease have all contributed to poor outcomes for patients.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Symptoms

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists several key symptoms of ME/CFS. These include severe tiredness that does not ease with rest, exhaustion after any activity (post-exertional malaise), unrefreshing sleep, pain in muscles or joints, headaches, and problems with memory or concentration. Other frequently reported signs are a persistent sore throat, tender lymph nodes, and feeling faint or dizzy when standing.

Additional symptoms that can appear include:

• Flu-like sensations, fever, or chills
• Mood changes such as anxiety, irritability, or depression
• Digestive problems
• Sensitivity to food, smells, or chemicals
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat

Breakthrough Blood Test Can Now Detect Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

A group of researchers from the University of East Anglia (UEA) working with Oxford BioDynamics believe they have overcome one of the biggest hurdles in diagnosing ME/CFS. Their goal was to create a dependable blood-based test capable of identifying consistent biological differences between people with ME/CFS and those without it. To do this, they turned to EpiSwitch 3D Genomics, a technology that studies how DNA folds inside cells. The way DNA loops or folds affects which genes are active, even when the genetic sequence itself remains unchanged.

The study examined blood samples from 47 people with severe ME/CFS and 61 healthy participants. Researchers looked for distinct DNA “folding signatures” that appeared consistently in patients but not in healthy controls. Their findings showed that the test could identify ME/CFS with about 96% accuracy, though individual reports of this figure vary slightly.

If future research confirms these results, this could represent a turning point in how the illness is recognised and treated. A reliable biomarker could help patients receive earlier diagnoses and enable scientists to design better therapies. However, experts urge caution. Independent testing across larger and more diverse groups is crucial before it becomes part of clinical practice.

The discovery is an encouraging advance, but it is still early. For now, the EpiSwitch blood test stands as a hopeful sign, one that brings ME/CFS research closer to validation, but not yet to medical routine.