On October 6, 2025, authorities in eastern and central India found themselves in the thick of a public health and safety crisis, as a series of crackdowns and advisories swept across Odisha and Chhattisgarh in response to the growing menace of spurious cough syrup distribution and the tragic deaths of children in neighboring states. The simultaneous operations, arrests, and policy shifts reflect an urgent bid to stem the tide of dangerous pharmaceuticals and illegal arms that have alarmed both officials and the public.
According to Mathrubhumi, the Odisha Police staged a major operation in Bargarh district, targeting an inter-state network accused of trafficking both counterfeit cough syrup and illegal firearms. Acting on credible intelligence, seven police teams, including the district's Special Squad, executed coordinated raids at multiple locations. The sweep resulted in the arrest of 15 individuals, three of whom hailed from Chhattisgarh, a neighboring state that would soon be thrust into its own wave of regulatory action.
The haul from the Odisha raids was substantial. Police seized 1,500 bottles of Eskuf cough syrup, each containing 100 milliliters, five country-made pistols complete with magazines, 20 rounds of live ammunition, three empty cartridge cases, 16 mobile phones, five four-wheelers, and Rs 57,200 in cash. The scope of the operation underscored the sophistication of the racket, which police say sourced the syrup from outside Odisha and used local agents to distribute it to smaller networks across western Odisha and bordering regions. The presence of arms and ammunition alongside pharmaceuticals painted a chilling picture of organized crime’s reach into everyday health products.
Briefing the media, Bargarh Superintendent of Police Prahalad Sahai Meena explained, "Acting on credible information, the first raid was conducted by the Town Police team, during which three accused from Chhattisgarh were apprehended. Their interrogation provided crucial leads, leading to the arrest of the remaining accused." Meena also noted that five police teams remained active, continuing raids to trace others involved in the racket. The investigation, he said, was ongoing, with four separate cases registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS), Arms Act, and Drugs and Cosmetics Act at Sadar, Town, Attabira, and Bijepur police stations.
This crackdown in Odisha came on the heels of a disturbing revelation in Madhya Pradesh: as reported by The Times of India, 14 children had died after consuming 'Coldrif' cough syrup, a tragedy that sent shockwaves through the region and prompted immediate action in neighboring Chhattisgarh. The reports of pediatric deaths catalyzed a state-wide response, with Chhattisgarh’s government ordering an urgent crackdown on pharmacies, implementing prescription audits, and launching public awareness drives. The goal was to curb the irrational and, all too often, illegal sale of children’s cough syrups—especially those dispensed over the counter without proper prescriptions.
Dr. Priyanka Shukla, commissioner of Chhattisgarh health services, told The Times of India, "The state has already verified with Chhattisgarh Medical Services Corporation and its procurement records. It was found that neither Coldrif nor any medicine manufactured by the said companies facing action in other states, has ever been supplied to Chhattisgarh’s government hospitals or pharmacies. The government of India advisory has been issued to all CMHOs in all districts." Dr. Shukla emphasized that for private use, strict directions had been issued: "No cough syrup or combination drug can be sold without prescription. Random prescription audits will also be carried out, and general awareness material is being developed to discourage over-the-counter use of cough syrups for children below two."
The Chhattisgarh health department wasted no time in acting. Immediate inspections of medical stores were ordered, with stern warnings that any outlet found selling restricted or non-prescribed cough syrups would face stringent action. A district-level circular from Bilaspur, issued by the additional drug controller on October 6, 2025, instructed all stockists and retailers to immediately halt the sale and distribution of Coldrif Syrup (Paracetamol + Phenylephrine + Chlorpheniramine Maleate) manufactured by Sensel Pharmaceuticals, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, after a batch was found sub-standard upon testing. The order mandated a recall of the specific batch (SR-13, manufactured May 2025, expiry April 2025) and required information about any remaining stock to be reported "without delay."
Teams from the drug control administration began random sampling and cross-checking of drug consignments statewide, a move reflecting the seriousness with which the authorities were treating the crisis. The Chhattisgarh chemist and druggists' association joined the effort, urging retailers across the state to sell prescription drugs only against a doctor’s prescription and to suspend the sale of any such formulations until further notice. Ashwani Vig, the association’s district unit vice-president, confirmed the association's commitment to compliance and public safety.
Behind these rapid responses was a broader context: the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare had issued a nationwide advisory highlighting growing concerns over the irrational prescription and sale of cough syrups and combination cold medications, particularly for young children. The ministry’s advisory underscored the need for strict compliance among pharmacies and physicians, and for heightened vigilance among parents and caregivers.
Chhattisgarh’s Directorate of Health Services circulated detailed advisories to all stakeholders. For medical stores, the message was clear: no sale of combination drugs or cough syrups without a doctor’s prescription, and no distribution of banned or restricted formulations. Physicians were instructed to closely monitor pediatric patients with cold, cough, or fever, and to keep any child who did not urinate for six hours under observation, referring them to higher-level centers if necessary. Parents and caregivers were advised to take children displaying such symptoms directly to government hospitals, to avoid unqualified practitioners, and to maintain strict hygiene.
Meanwhile, the Odisha Police’s ongoing investigation continued to unravel the extent of the inter-state network. As of October 6, 2025, five police teams were still active, pursuing leads and conducting raids to trace others involved in the racket. The authorities made it clear that the crackdown was far from over, and that further arrests and seizures could be expected as the investigation progressed.
These twin crises—one criminal, the other medical—have exposed the vulnerabilities in the regulation, distribution, and sale of pharmaceuticals in India. They have also highlighted the crucial role of quick, coordinated action by law enforcement and health authorities when public safety is at stake. With the memory of the 14 pediatric deaths in Madhya Pradesh still fresh, and the specter of more tragedies looming, officials in Odisha and Chhattisgarh seem determined not to let history repeat itself. The coming days will reveal whether these crackdowns and advisories are enough to restore trust and safety in the region’s pharmacies and medicine cabinets.
