Cont contaminated cough syrups exported to Gambia may be toxic
After the World Health Organization linked contaminated cough and cold syrups manufactured by an Indian drug manufacturer to the deaths of dozens of young children in the Gambia, the Haryana State Drug Controller has taken samples of cough syrups exported to the Gambia for investigation. The results of the tests are expected to be released in the next two days, according to news reports.
The samples have been collected from the manufacturing facility of Sonipat-based Maiden Pharmaceutical in Haryana, according to news reports.
The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation CDSCO launched a quick investigation into the case earlier in the day after WHO alerted that four contaminated and substandard cough syrups made by Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited in Haryana, which has been largely used for paediatric use, contain chemicals that are toxic and potentially fatal.
CDSCO reportedly said that an urgent investigation in the matter has already been taken up by CDSCO with the State Regulatory Authorities immediately after receiving communication from WHO based on the available information.
According to the primary investigation, it has been found that Maiden Pharmaceutical was a manufacturer, licensed by the State Drug Controller, for the named cough syrups, and held manufacturing permission for the products. The statement said that the company had only exported and manufactured these products to Gambia.
What are some cough syrups that have been banned?
The four products named by WHO in its report are Promethazine Oral Solution, Kofexmalin Baby Cough Syrup, Makoff Baby Cough Syrup and Magrip N Cold Syrup.
As per laboratory analysis of samples of each of the four products, the syrups have unacceptable amounts of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol as contaminants WHO said both the contents are toxic to humans and can be fatal. It said that substandard medical products are products that don't meet their quality standards or specifications. The health body said they are out of specification.
What is diethylene glycol, and why is it harmful?
According to an analysis done in Sciencedirect.com, diethylene glycol is rapidly absorbed and distributed to kidneys, brain, liver, spleen and adipose tissue. It can cause kidney and neurological toxicity, and has been associated with several cases of mass poisoning when consumed via drugs.
According to an analysis by the National Library of Medicine under the National Center for Biotechnology Information, the chemical is used in antifreeze, brake fluids, cosmetics, and lubricants and can cause renal damage, leading to its failure. This can lead to death.
The analysis said that the consumption of this chemical can lead to abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, inability to pass urine, headache, altered mental state, and acute kidney injury.
On Wednesday, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, said that while the contaminated products have only been detected in the Gambia, they may have been distributed to other countries. He said that the global health body will ask all countries to remove these products from circulation to prevent further harm to patients.