Investigation Launched into Cough Syrup Manufacturer Linked to Child Deaths

Enforcement Directorate Targets Sresan Pharmaceuticals

Chennai: On Monday, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids at locations associated with Sresan Pharmaceuticals, the producer of Coldrif cough syrup, which has been implicated in the tragic deaths of children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. This action is part of a broader investigation into money laundering, according to official sources.

The ED is focusing on at least seven sites in Chennai as part of its operations under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Reports indicate that over 20 children, primarily under five years old, have died after consuming Coldrif in the affected states.

Sresan Pharmaceuticals, based in Kanchipuram, was licensed by the Tamil Nadu Food and Drug Administration (TNFDA) in 2011. However, it has continued to operate for more than ten years despite serious infrastructure issues and numerous breaches of national drug safety regulations, as noted by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).

Investigations revealed that the cough syrup was alarmingly contaminated with diethylene glycol (DEG), a highly toxic substance.

The owner of Sresan Pharmaceuticals, G Ranganathan, was apprehended by Madhya Pradesh Police on October 9.