On January 23, the World Health Organization (WHO) called for “immediate and concerted action” to protect children from drugs with dangerous ingredients following a series of child deaths. related to a kind siro in 2022, according to Archyde.com news agency.
WHO says that by 2022 more than 300 children (mostly under 5 years of age) in Gambia, Indonesia and Uzbekistan will have died from acute kidney injury due to drink syrup with levels of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol in excess of the permissible limits.
“These substances are toxic chemicals used as industrial solvents and antifreeze. They can cause death in small amounts and are not intended for medicinal use,” the WHO statement said.
According to WHO, the Philippines, Timor Leste, Senegal and Cambodia may also be affected due to the distribution of this syrup. WHO calls on 194 member countries to take action to prevent drug deaths.
In October, WHO sent a warning to and requested a recall from drug shelves for 4 types of cough syrup produced by two pharmaceutical companies Maiden Pharmaceuticals and Marion Biotech of India due to related deaths in Gambia and Uzbekistan.
The agency also issued warnings for cough syrups from four Indonesian manufacturers, PT Yarindo Farmatama, PT Universal Pharmaceutical, PT Konimex and PT AFI Pharma.
The companies have denied that their products contain harmful substances or declined to comment as investigations are ongoing.
In its January 23 announcement, WHO reiterated its call to remove these products from circulation, calling on countries to ensure that all medicines on sale are tested.
WHO also asked the competent authorities to inspect manufacturers, strengthen market surveillance and take action when necessary.
WHO urges manufacturers to purchase ingredients only from qualified suppliers and to rigorously test materials. For suppliers and distributors, WHO recommends checking for signs of counterfeiting and distributing only authorized medicines.
