India’s health regulator has issued an urgent directive to all states and Union Territories after the tragic deaths of 20 children linked to contaminated Coldrif cough syrup. The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has called for stricter quality testing of all pharmaceutical products and immediate compliance with drug safety rules.

Rising Toll and Shocking Findings

Four new deaths were reported in Madhya Pradesh in the last 24 hours, bringing the total to 20. Six other children remain critical. Investigations revealed diethylene glycol (DEG), a toxic chemical was found in Coldrif syrup at 500 times the permissible limit. Some syrups were sold despite being unsafe for children under four years of age.

Regulatory Crackdown

The DGHS cited Rules 74(c) and 78(c)(ii) of the Drugs

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