DCGI Updates WHO On Maiden Pharma Cough Syrup Probe, Says Details Shared 'Inadequate'

Gambia's government on Friday said that the number of child deaths resulting from acute kidney injury, thought to be linked to Indian-made cough syrups, has risen to 70 from a previous toll of 69.

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New Delhi: On World Health Organisation’s (WHO) claims that cough syrup manufactured by Maiden Pharma led to the death of several children in the Gambia, Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) on Saturday said that the details shared by WHO so far are inadequate to determine the etiology.

“Expert Committee in its first meeting on WHO's claims over Maiden Pharmaceuticals has examined that clinical features and treatment received by the children as shared by the WHO so far are inadequate to determine the etiology,” news agency ANI quoted DCGI as replying to WHO.

Cough syrup by Maiden Pharma issue | Expert Committee in its 1st meeting on WHO's claims over Maiden Pharmaceuticals has examined that clinical features & treatment received by the children as shared by the WHO so far are inadequate to determine the aetiology: DCGI's reply to WHO

— ANI (@ANI) October 15, 2022

Meanwhile, Gambia's government on Friday said that the number of child deaths resulting from acute kidney injury, thought to be linked to Indian-made cough syrups, has risen to 70 from a previous toll of 69.

According to a presidency statement, Gambia is investigating the deaths and has set up a new commission of inquiry to deal with them this week.

Indonesia on Saturday banned ingredients linked to the deaths of the children as it probes acute kidney damage that has killed more than 20 children in the capital Jakarta this year, news agency Reuters reported.

Food and drug regulator BPOM also said it was probong the possibility that the ingredients in the cough syrup, diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol, had contaminated other materials that are used as solvents.

As per BPOM, the four products linked to the deaths in Gambia are not registered in Indonesia, nor any other Maiden products.