Probe begins after children die of 'toxic' cough syrup

India's drug regulatory authority has initiated a probe as several children died after taking "toxic" cough syrup in various parts of Rajasthan.

"The state is carrying out an investigation. The samples have been sent for testing at Rajasthan government laboratory," a senior health ministry official told ET. The drug regulatory authority is awaiting the results to take further action, he said.

The cough syrup is manufactured by Jaipur-based Kayson Pharma.


Rajasthan Medical Services Corporation Limited (RMSCL), which distributes free medicines, has stopped supplying the syrup.

Two batches are under investigation and all other batches have been halted, people in the know told ET.

The cases have been reported from Jaipur, Shrimadhopur, Bayana and Sewar.

This is not the first time that India-made cough syrups have come under the scanner. In 2022, cough syrups exported to Gambia were allegedly found to be contaminated with diethylene glycol (DEG) and ethylene glycol (EG) resulting in acute kidney injury among children.