WHO warns of global threat from contaminated cough syrup

Posted on 17 Month 06 2023

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The World Health Organization (WHO) is working with six countries to prevent tainted cough syrup, but did not identify these countries.

*Mariama Kuyateh from the Gambia holds up a photo of her ill son who died in 2022 from poor quality cough syrup - Photo: AFP*

On June 16, Reuters news agency quoted information from the WHO as saying that it is monitoring potentially deadly toxic cough syrups in children. The organization previously named nine countries around the world, after the deaths of more than 300 children suspected of being linked to poor quality cough syrups.

Rutendo Kuwana, WHO's team leader on incidents of counterfeit and substandard medicines, declined to name the six new countries the organization is working with, saying investigations are still underway.

According to Mr. Kuwana, it can take several years to find all the tainted drugs, because many boxes of adulterated drugs may still be in stock. "This is an ongoing risk," Mr Kuwana added.

Some pharmaceutical industry experts believe that inhumane manufacturers have chosen cheap chemicals to use in cough syrups.

Pharmaceutical manufacturers, including those accused of producing the tainted syrups found so far, often source ingredients from outside suppliers.

Mr. Kuwana said there is currently no risk to people in the countries the WHO has named. He explained that tainted syrups have been recalled or blocked since import.

Cameroon's health regulator in April said it was investigating the deaths of six children linked to a cough syrup branded as Naturcold. The manufacturer named on the label is China's Fraken Group. The company did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment.

In a separate announcement, the Cameroonian government said the drug may have been smuggled and illegally traded in the country.

* SOURCE: https://tuoitre.vn/who-canh-bao-moi-de-doa-toan-cau-en-siro-ho-nhiem-doc-20230616184532118.htm

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