India: Cough Syrup Banned After Deaths of Several Children Under 5

At least nine children have died in India over the past two months after being prescribed a cough syrup contaminated with a toxic substance, authorities reported on Sunday. As a result, the product has been banned in three states of the country.

According to the federal Health Ministry, laboratory tests conducted on the syrup consumed by the victims, all under the age of 5, revealed the presence of diethylene glycol (DEG), a deadly substance even at low levels.