• More than 300 children died.
• Cough syrups contained high levels of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol.
• WHO urged its 194 member countries to take action to prevent further deaths.

London: Following a series of child deaths linked to cough syrups last year, the World Health Organization has called for “immediate and concerted action” to protect children from contaminated medicines.

More than 300 children, mostly under the age of five, died of acute kidney injury in Gambia, Indonesia, and Uzbekistan in 2022, the WHO said in a statement on Monday.

Over-the-counter cough syrups contained high levels of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol.

“These contaminants are toxic chemicals used as industrial solvents and antifreeze agents that can be fatal even in small doses and should never be found in medicines,” according to the WHO.

In addition to the countries listed above, the WHO told on Monday that the Philippines, Timor-Leste, Senegal, and Cambodia could be affected because the medicines are on the market. It urged its 194 member countries to take action to prevent further deaths.

“Because these are not isolated incidents, WHO urges all key stakeholders involved in the medical supply chain to take immediate and coordinated action,” the organization said.

The WHO has already issued specific product alerts in October and earlier this month, requesting that cough syrups manufactured by India’s Maiden Pharmaceuticals and Marion Biotech be removed from the market after being linked to deaths in Gambia and Uzbekistan, respectively.

It also issued a warning last year for cough syrups sold in Indonesia by four Indonesian manufacturers, PT Yarindo Farmatama, PT Universal Pharmaceutical, PT Konimex, and PT AFI Pharma.

The companies involved have either denied that their products were contaminated or have declined to comment while the investigations are still ongoing.

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