Switzerland: The World Health Organization has called for “immediate and concerted action” to protect children from contaminated medicines after a large number of child deaths linked to cough syrups in 2022.

According to the WHO statement, more than 300 children deaths, mainly under the age of 5, in the Gambia, Indonesia, and Uzbekistan died of acute kidney injury, that were associated with contaminated medicines. The medicines, over-the-counter cough syrups, had high levels of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol.

WHO noted that these contaminants are toxic chemicals used as industrial solvents and antifreeze agents that can be fatal in even small amounts and should never be found in medicines.

“Since these are not isolated incidents, WHO calls on various key stakeholders engaged in the medical supply chain to take immediate and coordinated action,” WHO observed.

The organisation called on manufacturers to only buy raw ingredients from qualified suppliers, test their products more thoroughly, and keep records of the process. Suppliers and distributors are further advised to check for signs of falsification and only distribute or sell medicines authorised for use.

WHO recently requested that certain medicines be avoided, including cough syrups manufactured by India’s Maiden Pharmaceuticals and Marion Biotech, which have been linked to deaths in the Gambia and Uzbekistan, respectively.

In addition, the organisation issued a warning in 2022 for cough syrups made by four Indonesian manufacturers, PT Yarindo Farmatama, PT Universal Pharmaceutical, PT Konimex, and PT AFI Pharma, that were sold domestically.

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