Monitoring Desk
GENEVA: The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for immediate action to protect children from contaminated Indian medicines after the incident of children deaths linked to cough syrups last year.
In 2022, over 300 children in Uzbekistan, Gambia, and Indonesia died of acute kidney injury. The deaths were associated with contaminated medicines, said the WHO in a statement on Monday.
The medicines had high levels of ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol. “These contaminants are toxic chemicals used as antifreeze agents and industrial solvents that can be fatal even taken in small amounts, and should never be found in medicines,” the WHO stated.
WHO calls for action
WHO called for action across its 194 member countries to prevent more deaths.
The cough syrup produced in India by Marion Biotech pharmaceuticals company is allegedly linked to the death of eighteen children in Uzbekistan.
“Since these are not separate incidents, WHO calls on several key stakeholders engaged in the medical supply chain to take coordinated and immediate action,” WHO said.
