WHO alert on cough syrups 'alarming'; there are missing links that need to be probed: Expert

"The information from WHO that cough syrups manufactured by an Indian pharma company caused the death of 66 children due to the presence of ethylene glycol is alarming, Professor Y. K. Gupta, senior pharmacologist and vice-chairman of the Standing National Committee on Medicines said.

The World Health Organization’s (WHO) recent alert linking cough syrups manufactured by an Indian pharmaceutical firm to the deaths of children in Gambia is “alarming” and there are some missing links that need to be “investigated”, an expert said on October 8.

The WHO on Wednesday issued an alert, saying four "contaminated" and "substandard" cough syrups produced by Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited could be the reason for the deaths in the West African nation.

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

"The information from WHO that cough syrups manufactured by an Indian pharma company caused the death of 66 children due to the presence of ethylene glycol is alarming. "There are, however, some missing links that need to be carefully ascertained and investigated," said Professor Y. K. Gupta, senior pharmacologist and vice-chairman of the Standing National Committee on Medicines (SNCM). Dr. Gupta said the first death suspected to be due to the same reason was noted in July.

Cough syrups exported only to the Gambia, finds drug regulator’s probe

The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) received a communication from WHO on September 29 and the Indian government and the drug regulator immediately swung into action. “The letter was responded to instantly by seeking full details. Despite October 1 being a Sunday and October 2 being a national holiday, investigations were initiated,” Dr. Gupta explained.