After the death of more than 300 children due to adulterated cough syrupsthe World Health Organization (WHO) called for “immediate and coordinated action” to suppress counterfeit medicines.
In the past four months, at least seven countries reported incidents involving over-the-counter pediatric cough syrupsThe WHO reported in a statement.
More than 300 deaths are associated with these drugs in the Gambia, Indonesia and Uzbekistan, the institution specified. Most of the deceased were children under five years of age”, he added.
For the WHO, “these are not isolated incidents” and “immediate and coordinated measures” are necessary. The facts indicated imply the confirmed or suspected contamination of cough syrups made in indiawith high levels of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol.
“These contaminants are toxic chemicals used as industrial solvents and antifreeze agents that can be deadly even in small amounts,” the WHO warned. “They would never have to be on medication,” she insisted.
The organization launched a first alert on registered child deaths in The Gambia in October. A month later, he did the same for cases in Indonesia and also in Uzbekistan.
Since then, he warned against the use of syrups manufactured by Indian companies Marion Biotech and Maiden Pharmaceuticals and called on countries to redouble efforts to detect and remove any contaminated medicines from the market.