WHO issues medical product alert on three contaminated oral liquid medicines in India

World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued medical product alert on three contaminated oral liquid medicines identified in India and reported to WHO on October 8, 2025. The contaminated oral liquid medicines have been identified to be specific batches of COLDRIF, Respifresh TR and ReLife, manufactured by Sresan Pharmaceutical, Rednex Pharmaceuticals, and Shape Pharma.

The U.N. agency said that the Indian National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs) has been advised to consider targeted market surveillance, with particular attention to informal and unregulated supply chains where products may circulate undetected. NRAs are also advised to carefully evaluate the risks associated with any oral liquid medicines originating from the same manufacturing sites — particularly those produced since December 2024.

“The CDSCO has informed WHO that none of the contaminated medicines have been exported from India and there is currently no evidence of illegal export,” it said adding that the affected products are oral liquid medicines containing active ingredients commonly used to relieve symptoms of the common cold, flu, or cough.

Giving details about the syrups WHO maintained that the products identified in this alert are considered substandard as they fail to meet their quality standards and their specifications.

WHO in its statement noted that on October 8, 2025 the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) of India reported presence of Diethylene Glycol (DEG) in at least three oral liquid medicines.