Telangana DCA issues alert on ‘Relife’ and ‘Respifresh TR’ cough syrups contaminated with toxic DEG

Telangana Drug Control Administration has issued an advisory to stop using cough syrups Relife and Respifresh TR, detected with toxic Diethylene Glycol (DEG). Authorities urge reporting possession, alert retailers, and freeze stocks to prevent risks to public health.

Hyderabad: The Telangana Drug Control Administration (TGDCA) on Wednesday issued an advisory urging people to immediately stop using two cough syrups ‘Relife’ and ‘Respifresh TR’ if in possession and report it back to the nearest local DCA office.

Director of TGDCA, Shahnawaz Qasim said an alert was received from Drug Testing Laboratory of Madhya Pradesh, detecting highly toxic substances Diethylene Glycol (DEG) in the two cough syrups.

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The syrups suspected to be adulterated with DEG were Relife Cough Syrup (Ambroxol Hydrochloride, Guaiphenesin, Terbutaline Sulphate & Menthol Syrup) Batch No.: LSL25160, manufactured by Shape Pharma, and Respifresh TR Cough Syrup (Bromhexine Hydrochloride, Terbutaline Sulphate, Guaiphenesin & Menthol Syrup) Batch No.: R01GL2523 manufactured by Rednex Pharmaceuticals, both from Gujarat.

Possession of the said products can be reported directly to the DCA, Telangana through the toll-free number 1800-599-6969, which is operational from 10.30 am to 5 pm on all working days. Drugs Inspectors and Assistant Directors were directed to alert retailers, wholesalers, distributors, and hospitals to freeze any available stocks of the said product batches.

The DCA has initiated enforcement measures and is actively monitoring the situation to prevent further risk to public health.