The World Health Organization (WHO) has requested confirmation from India regarding. The export of tainted cough syrup that is blamed for the deaths of 17 children in the past month. The WHO made the request as it confirmed that the cough syrup, Coldrif, manufactured by Sresan Pharmaceutical, had levels of diethylene glycol that were nearly 500 times above the acceptable safety limit, which is to be zero.
The deaths occurred in Madhya Pradesh, a central Indian state. The Indian authorities then placed a ban on the medication on October 2, 2023, following laboratory testing. That confirmed the cough syrup contained the hazardous chemical. After learning the results. The WHO stated that it plans to issue an official alert once it receives official confirmation from the Indian authorities as to whether it was exported.
Two other cough syrups, Respifresh and RELIFE, tested positive for diethylene glycol. In fact, the health department of Gujarat issued a public warning about the dangers of cough syrups containing diethylene glycol, including possible kidney failure, nerve damage, and death, especially in children. The researchers stress that while the cough syrups were sold in several states of India. It is not yet known whether the cough syrup was exported.
When given the opportunity on whether or not it would make a global alert announcement after confirmation from India. The UN health organization stated that it would enact a Global Medical Products Alert. After receiving confirmation from India as to whether it was exported. In the meantime, the Couchoulon and WHO reiterated its global advice against the use of these cough syrup products in children due to the health risk associated with their use.
India’s leading drug regulator, Rajeev Raghuvanshi. Has acknowledged that the inspections revealed serious infractions at different pharmaceutical plants with respect to not testing each batch of active ingredients and end products. He stated that such failures as well as others have prompted action across six states, covering 19 pharmaceutical plants.
Police have launched a criminal investigation against Sresan Pharmaceutical for manslaughter. The company’s facility in Tamil Nadu has been sealed and their manufacturing licence may be cancelled. Drug inspectors reported finding broken bottles, burnt medicines. And a strong chemical odour in the abandoned factory as they entered the facility during the shut-down.
Two other companies — Shape Pharma, which produces RELIFE, and Rednex Pharmaceuticals. Which produces Respifresh — have also been ordered to suspend all operations. These companies are also based out of Gujarat, one of India’s pharmaceutical manufacturing hubs. Authorities have stated that tests revealed the companies’ products were “not of standard quality.”
Concerns about India’s safety and oversight of pharmaceuticals has come under increased scrutiny. In 2022, Indian manufactured cough syrups made with similar toxins were implicated in the deaths of more than 140 children in Gambia, Uzbekistan, and Cameroon. India suffered a similar tragedy in 2019 when 12 Indian children died as a result of consuming syrup that was laced with unknown toxins.
Though India ranks as one of the world’s top drug producers. The country’s $50-billion pharmaceutical industry is struggling to regain its reputation as a mainstay in global medication production. news
[…] WHO seeks India’s clarification on toxic cough syrup exports after 17 child deaths […]