Authorities on Friday raided the Kataria Pharmaceuticals distributor in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh after reports of death of nine children in 15 days allegedly due to contaminated cough syrup surfaced. The officials have collected the samples of the cough syrup, which was allegedly given to these children who initially suffered cold, cough, fever and then their kidneys become affected. Six children later died, prompting a probe into the case. Reports say two children also died after consuming the cough syrup in Rajasthan.
The samples have been for laboratory testing, an official said. Drug Inspector Sharad Kumar Jain said that the children referred to Nagpur. While treatment was underway, many children died, he added.
“After that, a team was formed, and it was discovered that cold relief syrup was given to them. The syrup was supplied from a phrama company in Jabalpur…”The proprietor confirmed that 660 bottles of the syrup were bought. Out of these, 594 bottles were distributed to three distributors in Chhindwara, while 66 bottles remained with the company,” the drug inspector said, quoted PTI.
VIDEO | Madhya Pradesh: Sharad Kumar Jain, Drug Inspector, Jabalpur, says, "As per our investigation, Kataria Pharmaceuticals had ordered 660 bottles of Coldrif cough syrup from a company in Chennai. Out of these, 594 bottles were supplied in Chhindwara. The remaining 66 bottles… pic.twitter.com/VPjN8jZQen
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 3, 2025
“Sixteen bottles are sent for testing, and the remaining stock has been prohibited from sale. A team is formed to investigate the matter, and the drug Inspector has been notified to freeze any remaining stock at the three firms.” Earlier, six children were reported dead in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara district due to kidney-related complications between September 4 and September 26, ” an official added.
What Kataria Pharmaceuticals distributor said
The distributor of Kataria Pharmaceuticals, Rajpal Kataria reacted to the incident and said they supplied the cough syrup in Chhindwara. “More than 30 children fell ill after consuming it. After falling ill, the children were referred to hospitals in Nagpur. Six children died,” he said.
“The supply was made to New Apna Agency, Ayush Pharma, and Jain Medical and General Stores in Chhindwara. The Coldrif cough syrup was sourced from a company in Chennai…” he added.
CMO says probe on to find cause behind kidney failures
Meanwhile, Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) Dr Naresh Gunnade said that authorities from the Centre and the State were called to probe the reason behind causing kidney failures. He said the samples have been collected and sent for examination.
“The complaints of fever came to light among children in Parasia, Chhindwara from August 22 and later some deaths were reported. Three deaths of children occurred from September 4 to September 7 at a private hospital in Nagpur. During preliminary investigation, it was revealed that the children were admitted in a private hospital here and then shifted to Nagpur, they didn’t visit Parasia government hospital,” Dr Gunnade told ANI.
“After the incident came to light, we set up a separate 10 bed ward at Parasia government hospital. Later, three more deaths of children occurred. So far six children died from September 4 to September 26 and the reason for the death is kidney failure. Though a team of National Centre for Control Disease (NCDC) and state-level Integrated Disease Surveillance Project (IDSP) came to investigate the case. They collected human samples, water samples and other concerned samples and sent it for examination whose report is yet to arrive. Some reports of human samples have arrived but there is nothing serious in it,” the CMHO added.