The World Health Organisation (WHO) has sounded the alarm over three contaminated oral liquid medicines manufactured in India, after tests revealed the presence of diethylene glycol (DEG) which is a toxic substance linked to fatal poisoning incidents.
The global health agency said the contaminated batches, reported on October 8, 2025, include COLDRIF, Respifresh TR, and ReLife that is produced by Sresan Pharmaceutical, Rednex Pharmaceuticals, and Shape Pharma respectively. According to the WHO statement, the alert followed information shared by India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), which confirmed DEG contamination during testing.
WHO urges strict surveillance, halts production at implicated sites
WHO has advised India’s National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs) to conduct targeted market surveillance, especially across informal and unregulated supply chains, where such medicines could circulate undetected. The agency stressed that products from the same manufacturing sites, particularly those produced since December 2024, should be carefully evaluated.
The CDSCO informed WHO that none of the poor-quality syrups had been exported and that there was no evidence of an illegal export. However, it confirmed that the affected products were consumed by children in localised clusters, leading to acute illness and fatalities in India.
Following the findings, state authorities have ordered an immediate halt to production, suspended product authorisations and initiated a recall of the affected medicines.
Contaminated syrups are linked to serious, life-threatening risks
According to WHO, the products are inadequate that pose significant health risks. It issued a warning that diethylene glycol is poisonous and can be lethal if consumed, particularly by young children. Acute kidney injury, changed mental state, vomiting, diarrhoea, and difficulty passing urine are some of the side effects.
According to the agency's official statement, "WHO continues to collaborate closely with Indian health authorities to monitor the situation, identify the source of contamination, and mitigate potential public health risks"
The U.N. agency additionally called on regulators, the public, and medical professionals to notify their respective national authorities of any side effects or suspected unsafe medications. It emphasised that all medical products must be procured only from authorised and licensed suppliers, and any information about such products should be shared with WHO via rapidalert@who.int.
