Missing links need to be probed in cough syrup alarm: Expert

Indian authorities are investigating cough syrups made by a local pharma company after WHO linked it with deaths of 66 children in Gambia. Pic/PTI

The WHO's recent alert linking cough syrups manufactured by an Indian pharmaceutical firm to the deaths of 66 children in Gambia is "alarming" and there are some missing links that need to be "investigated", an expert said on Saturday.

The World Health Organisation on Wednesday issued an alert, saying four "contaminated" and "substandard" cough syrups produced by Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited could be the reason for the deaths in the West African nation.

"There are some missing links that need to be carefully ascertained and investigated," said Professor Y K Gupta, senior pharmacologist and vice chairman of the Standing National Committee on Medicines.

"It is important to understand here that only new drug approval is granted by DCGI whereas licence for manufacture and sale is given by state drug controller. In this case, the licence for manufacture and sale was given by the state drug controller. The company was licensed to export only to this one country and not in any other country."

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The other missing link is that of the 23 samples which were tested by WHO, ethylene glycol was found only in four samples, said Dr Gupta, adding, "This is perplexing and needs clarification." "Also, the importing country gets it tested as per defined standards or their pharmacopoeia. It seems this was somehow missed," he said.

Oct 5
When WHO issued alert against four ‘substandard' cough syrups

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