Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited had manufactured the Indian cough syrup having two toxic contaminants named diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol and exported by the Delhi headquartered firm to the West African nation.
W.H.O (WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION) issued a medical product alert
W.H.O issued a medical product alert last Wednesday over four contaminated medicines which are given as below:
- Promethazine Oral solution
- Kofexmalin Baby Cough Syrup
- Makoff Baby Cough Syrup
- Magrip N Cold Syrup
The above-mentioned syrups produced by the Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited in Haryana, INDIA.
The UN health body is investigating further with the company and regulatory authorities in India.
The WHO stated that the cause of the deaths in children might have been caused by the ‘unregulated chemical‘ in the cough syrup.
Children in the Gambia began falling ill with kidney problems a couple of days after taking the cough syrups.
Diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and kidney injury and may result in death. Both are toxin to human.
The WHO has recommended all countries to detect and remove these products from circulation. Taking recent events into consideration, the Indian government has also begun a probe into the company.
Indonesia also banned the ingredients used in an Indian cough syrup manufactured by Maiden Pharmaceuticals after it was linked to the death of 70 children in the Gambia. The Southeast Asian country is investigating the death of 20 children linked to acute kidney damage in its capital Jakarta earlier this year.
Diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol (toxic to humans) which found in these cough syrups
- Diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol are often found as contaminants in glycerin, which is used as a sweetener in the manufacture of pharmaceutical cough syrups.
- Both have same properties. Colorless, odorless, viscous, also used in industrial products such as paints, stationery inks, fluids used in brakes and clutches of the vehicles, and antifreeze.
- Because of its hydroscopic property, these are used in brake fluid, cigarettes, treatment of paper and some dyes.
- Causes toxic effects to humans. It can cause headache, stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, inability to pass urine, changes in mental status, and serious kidney problems.
Many children died in the Gambia after taking cough syrup containing DEG and EG.