The World Health Organization has issued an alert warning in opposition to the usage of two Indian cough syrups blamed for the deaths of at the very least 20 youngsters in Uzbekistan.
WHO mentioned the merchandise, manufactured by India’s Marion Biotech, had been “substandard” and that the agency had failed to offer ensures about their “safety and quality”.
The alert, issued on Wednesday, comes after Uzbekistan authorities mentioned final month at the very least 20 youngsters died after consuming a syrup made by the corporate below the model identify Doc-1 Max.
India’s well being ministry subsequently suspended manufacturing on the firm and Uzbekistan banned the import and sale of Doc-1 Max.
The WHO alert mentioned an evaluation of the syrup samples by the standard management laboratories of Uzbekistan discovered “unacceptable amounts of diethylene glycol and /or ethylene glycol as contaminants”.
Diethylene glycol and ethylene are poisonous to people when consumed and might show deadly.
“Both of these products may have marketing authorisations in other countries in the region. They may also have been distributed, through informal markets, to other countries or regions,” WHO mentioned.
The merchandise had been “unsafe and their use, especially in children, may result in serious injury or death”, it mentioned.
Marion Biotech officers couldn’t be reached instantly for remark.
It is the second Indian drugmaker to face a probe by regulators since October, when the WHO linked one other agency’s medicines to a spate of kid deaths in Gambia.
Maiden Pharmaceuticals was accused of producing a number of poisonous cough and chilly treatments that led to the deaths of at the very least 66 youngsters within the African nation.
The victims, largely between 5 months and 4 years outdated, died of acute renal failure.
India launched a probe into Maiden Pharmaceuticals however later mentioned the investigation had discovered the suspect medication had been of “standard quality”.
