Punjab has banned the sale of Coldrif cough syrup after 20 children died in Madhya Pradesh. Health officials found that the syrup might be contaminated with harmful chemicals that can cause serious illness or death.

The tragedy began when several children in Madhya Pradesh became sick after taking the syrup for cough and cold. Many of them were rushed to hospitals but could not survive. Doctors later suspected that the medicine they had taken was not safe.

Lab tests showed that the syrup contained a dangerous chemical called diethylene glycol (DEG), which is used in industrial products and is not safe for human use. Even a small amount of this chemical can harm the kidneys and cause death, especially in children.

After this shocking discovery, the Punjab government immediately stopped the sale and use of Coldrif syrup in the state. Officials have ordered all medical shops and hospitals to remove the syrup from their shelves.

Police and drug inspectors have also started an investigation. The company that made the syrup is now under strict watch, and the owner has been questioned by authorities. Investigators are checking where the raw materials came from and how the syrup was tested before being sold.

Health experts have advised people not to use Coldrif or any similar cough syrup until the government confirms it is safe. Parents are being asked to check their home medicines and throw away any bottle of Coldrif syrup they may have.

Doctors say that if any child feels unwell after taking the syrup—like vomiting, stomach pain, or not passing urine—they should be taken to the hospital right away.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has also warned countries to be careful about unsafe syrups. Many such cases have been reported in different parts of the world, where contaminated medicines have caused deaths among children.

The government is now planning stricter rules for medicine testing and factory inspections to make sure such tragedies do not happen again.

People across India are shocked and saddened by the deaths. Families of the victims are demanding justice and stronger safety laws for medicine manufacturing.

Officials said that safety of children is the top priority and no one responsible for the deaths will be spared.

The investigation is still going on, and more updates are expected soon.