Toxic cough syrup manufactured by Roorkee firm banned after lab detects deadly impurity

In a decisive move to protect public health, the Himachal Pradesh drug authorities have banned the sale, purchase and use of the cough syrup Planokuf D after it was found contaminated with a toxic chemical. The syrup, containing cetrizine hydrochloride, phenylepherine hydrochloride and dextromethorphan hydrobromide, tested positive for 0.35% diethylene glycol (DEG), a poisonous compound known to cause serious harm to the kidneys and nervous system.

Laboratory tests conducted by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation’s (CDSCO) Guwahati unit confirmed the contamination, declaring the product “not of standard quality.” The affected batch, R25053101, was manufactured in February 2025 and set to expire in January 2027. Produced by Roorkee-based Shreya Lifesciences Private Limited, the syrup is the fourth cough formulation to face a ban in the state since October.

State Drugs Controller Dr Manish Kapoor has issued strict directives to all hospitals, retailers, distributors and medical practitioners to immediately stop the purchase and utilisation of the product. Field officers have been deployed to ensure the syrup is removed from all pharmacy shelves.

This action follows earlier bans on Coldrif, Respifresh TR and Relife syrups, all found containing the same toxic impurity. The crackdown comes amid heightened vigilance after 12 deaths in Madhya Pradesh were linked to cough syrups contaminated with DEG, an impurity in propylene glycol, a base ingredient often used in their manufacture. Authorities have now intensified random testing to prevent recurrence of such tragedies.