India's tainted cough syrups spark crisis after child deaths

India’s pharmaceutical sector is under scrutiny after contaminated cough syrups caused multiple child deaths. The Supreme Court has criticised the industry for damaging the country’s reputation. Authorities are now taking steps to address long-standing regulatory gaps. Contaminated syrups containing diethylene glycol led to kidney and liver failure in children across several locations. The substance was found in products labelled as Made in India. In response, the union government banned the over-the-counter sale of cough syrups, requiring a doctor’s prescription for purchase.

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation has audited 90% of around 1,300 syrup manufacturers. Despite this, the CDSCO has not publicly named companies with serious deficiencies. The lack of transparency persists even as calls grow for full disclosure of drug test results under the RTI Act.

Regulatory failures have persisted for decades due to the absence of a unified system to monitor manufacturers nationwide. Experts argue that the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, is outdated and unable to ensure drug quality effectively. The Supreme Court’s rebuke highlights the urgent need for reform. Modernising the Drugs and Cosmetics Act could strengthen oversight and prevent future tragedies. Public access to testing data may also improve accountability in the pharmaceutical industry.