WHO Issues Urgent Alert Over Contaminated Cough Syrups from India Linked to Child Deaths

Health

WHO Issues Urgent Alert Over Contaminated Cough Syrups from India Linked to Child Deaths

1 month ago

News sources:

REUTERS

TRTGLOBAL

WHO Issues Urgent Alert Over Contaminated Cough Syrups from India Linked to Child Deaths

Credited from: REUTERS

WHO issues alert on three contaminated cough syrups from India.
At least 20 child deaths are linked to these products in Madhya Pradesh.
Contaminants include toxic diethylene glycol, prompting government action.
Manufacturers have halted production and faced regulatory scrutiny.
Health authorities advised against prescribing cough syrups to young children.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued an urgent alert regarding three specific contaminated cough syrups manufactured in India, urging global health authorities to report any findings immediately. The syrups in question are Coldrif from Sresan Pharmaceutical, Respifresh TR from Rednex Pharmaceuticals, and ReLife from Shape Pharma. These products pose significant health risks, particularly to children, and WHO emphasized their potential to cause severe, life-threatening illnesses, according to Reuters and AA.

The alert follows reports of at least 20 children's deaths in Madhya Pradesh state, linked to the consumption of these contaminated syrups. The presence of diethylene glycol (DEG), a toxic compound often found in industrial solvents, was confirmed in the affected products. In response to the crisis, Indian authorities have mandated an immediate halt in production at the implicated sites and revoked the licenses of involved manufacturers, thereby heightening regulatory scrutiny, as detailed by TRT and AA.

TRT and Reuters.