Pharmacy News Update: DEG-Contaminated Cough Syrups Banned in Telangana — Stay Alert, Stay Safe!

 

💊Pharmacy News Update: DEG-Contaminated Cough Syrups Banned in Telangana — Stay Alert, Stay Safe!

Medicines are meant to heal — but what happens when a cure turns into a threat? The recent Telangana Drugs Control Administration (DCA) action against two toxic cough syrups has once again highlighted the urgent need for drug safety awareness and pharmaceutical quality control in India.

In a shocking revelation, Telangana DCA has banned two cough syrups — Relife (Batch No. LSL25160, manufactured by Shape Pharma Pvt Ltd, Gujarat) and Respifresh TR (Batch No. R01GL2523, manufactured by Rednex Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd, Gujarat) — after lab tests detected Diethylene Glycol (DEG) contamination.

⚠️ What Happened: The Contaminated Cough Syrup Scare

The laboratory analysis confirmed that these syrups contained Diethylene Glycol (DEG) — a toxic chemical compound known to cause acute kidney failure, nerve damage, and even death, particularly among children.

These syrups, originally meant to relieve simple cough and cold symptoms, have now become a serious public health concern due to manufacturing lapses and poor quality control.

Following several child deaths in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan linked to similar contaminated cough syrups earlier this year, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), along with state drug authorities, has intensified nationwide testing of pharmaceutical products.

The Telangana DCA’s swift action to ban the affected batches of Relife and Respifresh TR reflects a proactive approach toward ensuring patient safety and public health protection.

🔍 Why This Matters: The Bigger Picture in Drug Safety

India, known as the “pharmacy of the world,” must also ensure that its pharmaceutical manufacturing standards meet the highest quality and safety benchmarks.

Incidents like these remind us of the importance of:

• Strict pharmaceutical quality assurance systems

• Routine batch-wise testing of drug samples

• Transparent pharmacovigilance reporting mechanisms

• Stronger CDSCO and DCA coordination across states

Every lapse in manufacturing can endanger lives, especially among vulnerable populations like children and elderly patients.

🧠 What Is Diethylene Glycol (DEG)?

Diethylene Glycol (DEG) is a toxic industrial solvent sometimes used illegally as a cheaper substitute for glycerin in liquid drug formulations. Even small amounts of DEG can cause:

• Kidney failure

• Liver damage

• Nervous system disorders

• Coma and death in severe cases

It has been linked to multiple global pharmaceutical tragedies, making strict drug testing and inspection absolutely crucial.

📢 Public Awareness Reminder

Even common cough syrups can be dangerous if not tested, stored, or sourced properly. Here’s how to stay safe:

✅ Always buy medicines only from licensed pharmacies.
✅ Double-check batch numbers and expiry dates before use.
✅ Avoid unverified online pharmacy purchases.
✅ Report any adverse drug reactions (ADRs) to your doctor or local Drug Control Administration (DCA).
✅ Stay updated through official CDSCO alerts and state DCA notices.

🧩 The Role of Pharmacists in Preventing Drug-Related Harm

Pharmacists play a key role in ensuring drug safety and patient awareness. With growing cases of drug contamination in India, pharmacists must:

• Verify product authenticity before dispensing

• Educate patients about safe drug storage

• Encourage reporting of side effects or unusual symptoms

• Support pharmacovigilance systems and ADR reporting

This strengthens public trust and protects the reputation of India’s healthcare ecosystem.

💬 Call to Action

🕊️ Let’s raise our voices for:

• Safer medicines

• Stronger quality checks

• Responsible pharmaceutical manufacturing

Because health is not a business to gamble with — it’s a public responsibility.

Stay alert, stay informed, and stay safe. 💙