who flagged 4 india cough syrup latest news updates and headline

Which cough syrups were flagged?

The four cough and cold syrups are Promethazine Oral Solution, Kofexmalin Baby Cough Syrup, Makoff Baby Cough Syrup and Magrip N Cold Syrup. They are manufactured by the Haryana-based Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited.

What did the medicines contain?

The inter-governmental agency alerted that while these products were sent only to Gambia they may have been distributed via informal channels to other countries as well.

Is there a well-established causal link?

What exactly are the contaminants?

What reactions do the contaminants trigger?

WHO has said that diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol are both “toxic to humans when consumed and can prove fatal.” Side effects of DEG include abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, inability to pass urine, headache, altered mental state, and acute kidney injury which is the foremost cause of death.

How were they present in the syrups?

According to a senior official at the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission who spoke to Times Now on the condition of anonymity, DEG could be present as an “impurity in the solvents that are generally used in making medicinal products.” However, it is “difficult to say which products have the impurity unless and until it is analysed,” the official said.

They further added that India has robust checks for medicines that are sold after being licensed for use. “If products are made as per standard they should not have such contaminants,” they said.

Is India investigating the matter?

The CDSCO said they are, however, still waiting for “the report on the establishment of causal relation to death with the medical products in question and photographs of Labels/ products etc.”

What have probes found so far?

The Indian authorities have found that the drug manufacturer in question – Maiden Pharmaceutical Limited – is licensed by the State Drug Controller for the products under reference. It has reportedly sold the products to Gambia so far.