After the death of more than 300 children due to adulterated cough syrups World Health Organization today called for “immediate and concerted action” to eradicate non-compliant and counterfeiters. medicines.

Over the past four months, at least seven countries have reported incidents involving over-the-counter cough syrups for children, according to the WHO.

The WHO said more than 300 deaths have been linked to these drugs in three countries, including the Gambia, Indonesia and Uzbekistan, adding that most deaths are in “children under the age of five.”

Reported cases include confirmed or suspected contamination of cough syrups manufactured in India with high levels of ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol. “These harmful substances are toxic chemicals used as industrial solvents and antifreezes and can be fatal even if taken in small amounts,” the WHO warned, adding that these products “should never be in medicines.”

The WHO issued an initial warning about child mortality observed in the Gambia in October, followed by another warning for Indonesia a month later and another earlier this month for Uzbekistan.

“These are not isolated cases”

The WHO has warned of the use of syrups made by Indian companies Marion Biotech and Maiden Pharmaceuticals and urged countries to redouble their efforts to identify and seize any contaminated drugs, step up surveillance of supply chains and issue warnings if nonconforming products are found.

For the WHO, “these are not isolated cases” and require “immediate and coordinated action.”

Competent regulatory authorities and governments should identify and recall any substandard medical products identified in WHO alerts and ensure that products come from approved suppliers and that their sale is approved by the relevant authorities.

Those who manufacture medicines should “buy only pharmaceutical grade excipients from reliable suppliers,” the WHO insists. “They must keep a complete record of their purchases and conduct rigorous testing of ingredients before using them and issue product quality certifications.”

Finally, according to the WHO, suppliers and distributors of medical products must “always look for signs of counterfeiting” and only sell medicines approved by the relevant authorities.

^{Source: APE, AFP, Reuters.}