The WHO has given a warning about Indian cough syrups after 66 children died in Gambia
According to news, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has already launched an investigation into the matter. After being notified on September 29.
WHO published a warning on Wednesday against four fever, cold, and cough syrups manufactured by an Indian company, urging people not to use them. This follows the deaths of 66 children in Gambia.
Maiden Pharmaceuticals, based in Haryana, manufactures the cough syrups Promethazine Oral Solution. Kofexmalin Baby Cough Syrup, Makoff Baby Cough Syrup, also Magrip N Cold Syrup.
“Laboratory analysis of samples from each of the four products confirms. That contaminants such as diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol are present in unacceptable amounts. To date, these four products have been determine in Gambia. But they may have been distribute to other countries or regions via informal markets,” the WHO stated in the alert.
According to the World Health Organization, all batches of the products “should be considere unsafe” until they are grill by the respective national regulatory authorities.
The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has already launched an investigation into the matter after being notified on September 29.
According to reports, the pharmaceutical company has only sold the products to Gambia.
An Indian Express report, four of the WHO’s 23 samples were contaminate with diethylene glycol or ethylene glycol.
It is worth noting that chemicals such as Diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol can cause toxic effects. Such as abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, inability to pass urine, headache, altered mental state, and acute kidney injury, which can result in death.
Meanwhile, WHO emphasised that countries should increase supply chain surveillance to detect and remove substandard products.
“Please do not use these substandard products if you have them. Suppose you or someone you know has used these products or experienced any adverse reaction/event due to their use. In that case, according to the WHO alert, you should seek immediate medical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. And also report the incident to the National Regulatory Authority or National Pharmacovigilance Centre.
