MFDA Confirms India’s Toxic Cough Syrup Not Sold in Maldives
Photo: MV+
The Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) has confirmed that the cough syrup linked to the recent deaths of over a dozen children in India is not available in the Maldivian market.
— MFDA (@MFDA_mv) October 12, 2025advertisement
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At least 20 children under the age of five have died in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh over the past month after allegedly consuming an oral cough syrup called Coldrif, produced by Tamil Nadu-based Sresan Pharmaceutical Manufacturer. Tests conducted by Indian authorities revealed that the medicine contained toxic diethylene glycol at levels nearly 500 times higher than the permissible limit.
According to the MFDA, the South East Asia Region Network (SEARN) issued an alert regarding a ban on three cough syrups found to contain diethylene glycol. These include Coldrif produced by Sresan Pharmaceutical, and two others — Respifresh and RELIFE — made by Gujarat-based Shape Pharma and Rednex Pharmaceuticals.
The MFDA stated that none of the three companies are licensed to export medicines to the Maldives. The agency further verified that no medicine produced by these manufacturers has been imported into the country.
However, the MFDA urged the public to remain cautious, noting that Maldivian citizens often travel to India and purchase medication for personal use. The agency emphasised that it continues to monitor and test imported medicines to ensure their safety, particularly those intended for children.
The authority conducts laboratory testing to verify that cough syrups imported into the Maldives do not contain diethylene glycol or ethylene glycol. Both chemicals are industrial solvents sometimes used as cheaper substitutes in pharmaceuticals, and have been linked to multiple poisoning incidents worldwide.
