Indian health authorities have sounded the alarm after 17 children under the age of five died in recent weeks, allegedly from consuming toxic cough syrup. The government has flagged serious lapses in testing protocols at pharmaceutical companies, and the World Health Organization has warned of a “regulatory gap” in how India screens medicines for harmful chemicals.

Tests confirmed that the cough syrup “Coldrif,” produced by Sresan Pharmaceutical Manufacturer, contained diethylene glycol in concentrations nearly 500 times above permissible limits. Officials believe two other brands — Respifresh and RELIFE, also contain dangerous levels of the same chemical.

After these findings, the sale of Coldrif has been banned, and Sresan’s manufacturing licence is under review, according to a Reuters

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