World Health Organisation Points Out 'Regulatory Gap' In Cough Syrup Testing After Deaths Of Children Due To Coldrif

The World Health Organisation (WHO) is closely monitoring the recent reports from India regarding the deaths of 17 children after drinking a cough syrup medicine. WHO extended its condolences and contacted the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) of India for clarification regarding potential links to contaminated medicines and whether the syrups were exported to other countries. Days after, CDSCO informed WHO that it had identified the contaminated products - COLDRIF, Respifresh TR and ReLife. It further informed the body that the products have been recalled and that the identified manufacturers have been ordered to stop production of all medical products. It further stated that none of the products were exported from India. WHO added that the country had a "regulatory gap" in screening locally-sold syrup medicines, as per a report in Reuters.

"WHO expresses deep concern over these developments and emphasizes... the regulatory gap in DEG/EG screening for domestically marketed medicines in India," a spokesperson added by email, referring to diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol.

WHO expresses deep concern over these developments and emphasises the following

• The potential risk of contaminated products being exported to other countries, particularly via unregulated channels.
• The regulatory gap in DEG/EG screening for domestically marketed medicines in India.
• Identifying the source of the contamination and identifying and removing any contaminated pharmaceutical material which may be in circulation.

The health organisation acknowledges the seriousness of these incidents and is prepared to assist national authorities in investigating and responding to these tragic events. It is dedicated to supporting India in protecting public health and ensuring the safety of medical products.

Children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan died after consuming toxic cough syrup. Following this, a PIL was filed seeking a retired Supreme Court judge to monitor a probe and inquiry into the manufacture, regulation, testing and distribution of contaminated cough syrups. The petition filed by advocate Tiwari called for the constitution of a National Judicial Commission or Expert Committee headed by a retired Supreme Court judge to conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the manufacture, testing, and distribution of contaminated cough syrups containing Diethylene Glycol (DEG) and Ethylene Glycol (EG), the same toxic compounds that have previously caused fatalities. On October 9, the Supreme Court agreed to hear on October 10 a PIL seeking a CBI investigation.

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