WHO Issues Medical Product Alert On Indian Cough Syrup After 66 Children Die In Gambia, Says Report

The WHO issued a medical product alert after 66 deaths of children in Gambia, as reported by news agency Reuters.

Cough Syrup (Source: Getty)

New Delhi: The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday announced that cough syrups made by Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited had diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol, which are toxic to human beings. The WHO issued a medical product alert after 66 deaths of children in the Gambia, as reported by the news agency Reuters.

"Laboratory analysis of samples of each of the four products confirms that they contain unacceptable amounts of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol as contaminants," the WHO said in a medical product alert, warning that while the contested products had so far been found in The Gambia, the could have been distributed to other countries.

"The four medicines are cough and cold syrups produced by Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited, in India. WHO is conducting further investigation with the company and regulatory authorities in India"-@DrTedros https://t.co/PceTWc836t

— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) October 5, 2022

The four products are Promethazine Oral Solution, Kofexmalin Baby Cough Syrup, Makoff Baby Cough Syrup and Magrip N Cold Syrup. 

“To date, these four products have been identified in The Gambia, but may have been distributed, through informal markets, to other countries or regions,” the WHO said, warning countries across the world in a statement that was issued in addition to the director-general’s response. 

“The substandard products referenced in this alert are unsafe and their use, especially in children, may result in serious injury or death,” said the WHO statement.

WHO said it was directing further examination with the company and regulatory authorities in India. Maiden Pharmaceuticals didn't quickly answer a Reuters request for comment.

Tedros said that WHO was also “conducting further investigation with the company and regulatory authorities in India."