WHO issues warning about 3 Indian cough syrups
The Chronify
The World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations' global health security agency, has issued a warning about three Indian cough syrups. These syrups were manufactured for children aged between 1 and 5 years.
The three cough syrups in question are Coldrif, manufactured by Indian pharmaceutical company Sresan Pharmaceuticals; Respifresh TR, produced by Rednex Pharmaceuticals; and Relife, made by Shape Pharma.
The WHO issued the warning due to the abnormal presence of a chemical called diethylene glycol in these syrups. Diethylene glycol is a chemical sometimes used in the production of children's cough syrups, but if it exceeds the approved or safe limit, it becomes toxic.
According to the WHO alert, the amount of diethylene glycol found in these three syrups was 500 times higher than the permissible limit. In August, 17 children reportedly died in India after consuming Coldrif syrup manufactured by Sresan Pharmaceuticals. Earlier in 2023, another Indian company’s syrup was linked to the deaths of 141 children in Uzbekistan, Cameroon, and The Gambia.
Officials of India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) said they are aware of the WHO’s warning and will take the necessary steps to tighten and refine the country’s drug quality control systems.
