Nagpur: A four-year-old boy from Madhya Pradesh has died at AIIMS Nagpur, months after he fell critically ill and slipped into a coma following the alleged consumption of Coldrif cough syrup, officials said on Monday. The child’s death has once again drawn attention to the cough syrup tragedy that claimed the lives of several children last year.
The boy, identified as Harsh and a resident of Tikabarri village in Betul district bordering Chhindwara, had been undergoing treatment at AIIMS Nagpur for more than four months. He remained in a coma in the intensive care unit before succumbing during treatment on Sunday night.
Betul Chief Medical and Health Officer Dr Manoj Hurmade confirmed the death and said a post-mortem examination was conducted in Nagpur on Monday. The body was later handed over to the family, while the exact cause of death will be determined after the post-mortem report is received.
Harsh’s uncle, Shyam Yadav, said the child’s last rites were performed on Monday evening. He alleged that Harsh’s health deteriorated after consuming the cough syrup prescribed by a doctor in Parasia town of Chhindwara district, following which the child was shifted to AIIMS Nagpur for advanced treatment.
In September and October last year, at least 24 children from Chhindwara and Betul districts reportedly died after consuming Coldrif cough syrup. Several children had fallen ill with symptoms such as vomiting, fever and inability to urinate, prompting a detailed investigation by health authorities.
Laboratory tests later revealed that the syrup contained diethylene glycol, a highly toxic chemical known to cause acute kidney failure. A government Drug Testing Laboratory in Chennai declared the sample “Not of Standard Quality,” while the Tamil Nadu Directorate of Drug Control found that the syrup contained 48.8 per cent diethylene glycol, rendering it dangerous for consumption.
Following the incident, the Madhya Pradesh government banned the sale of Coldrif cough syrup in the first week of October. The Drug Controller General of India also initiated a probe, leading to the arrest of the manufacturer’s owner and a government doctor who had allegedly recommended the syrup.
The latest death has reignited concerns over drug safety, regulatory oversight and accountability in the distribution of medicines, especially those prescribed to children.
