US EditionIndia's Cough Syrup Tragedy Shows Huge Drug Safety Gaps
Three syrups from Indian manufacturers contained diethylene glycol levels far above safe limits, prompting recalls and production halts after child deaths in Madhya Pradesh.
- The World Health Organization issued a medical alert on September 30 after child deaths in Madhya Pradesh linked to contaminated syrups with diethylene glycol, CDSCO reported on October 8.
- Since October 2022, World Health Organization has flagged repeated diethylene glycol contamination in liquid medicines, noting only 0.1 per cent is permissible and assisting regulators with testing.
- Lab tests found Sresen Pharmaceutical's Coldrif contained 48.6 per cent DEG, while Rednex Pharmaceutical's Respifresh and Shape Pharma's ReLife had 1.3 per cent and 0.6 per cent respectively, and WHO said the products were not meant for export.
- We have initiated risk-based inspections at 19 drug manufacturing units across six states to identify quality lapses, CDSCO official D R Gahane said, while the owner of Sresen Pharmaceuticals was arrested and sales banned.
- Experts say India supplies at least 20% of generics yet 20–25% may fall short; Nakul Pasricha urged better traceability, asking, `Are the current penalties a sufficient deterrent?` while Dinesh Thakur called state procurement a `patronage scheme.
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17 Articles
WHO urges global action after toxic syrup kills 17 children
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued a warning over several cough syrups produced in India following multiple child deaths. Laboratory investigations have revealed that the syrups contain toxic substances, including diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol, chemicals commonly used in industrial processes such as antifreeze, resins, and solvents which are highly dangerous if ingested. Source
WHO global alert over contaminated cough syrup that has killed at least 20 kids - The Mirror
The 20 children, all of whom were under the age of five, are said to have ingested Colrif cough medicine before dying from poisoning symptoms as the company's owner has been arrested
The World Health Organization has issued a global warning regarding three cough and cold syrups manufactured in India. According to the WHO, these syrups have been found to contain a toxic compound called Diethylene Glycol (DEG), which has caused severe illness and death in children.
India's cough syrup tragedy shows huge drug safety gaps
The poisoning of children in Madhya Pradesh state has sparked urgent calls to reform India's massive pharmaceutical industry, which produces most of the world's vaccines and a large share of its generic medications.
WHO issues alert over 3 India-made contaminated cough syrups
WHO alert comes after police in India's central Madhya Pradesh state arrested doctor in connection with deaths of at least 20 children, which are suspected to have been caused by contaminated cough syrup - Anadolu Ajansı
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