Multiple Cases of Acute Kidney Injury and Death After Taking Cold Syrup
Indian Health Authorities "Will Take All Necessary Measures Regarding the Incident"
The WHO has launched an investigation into the deaths of 66 children in The Gambia, West Africa, who suffered from acute kidney disease, identifying contaminated cold medicine as the cause. The photo is not related to the specific content of the article. Photo by Yonhap News.
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Juri] Recently, an incident occurred in West Africa's Gambia where 66 children died after suffering from acute kidney disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) is investigating the case, reporting that it is related to the consumption of cold medicine products from an Indian pharmaceutical company.
On the 6th (local time), CNN and others reported that the WHO has launched a full-scale investigation into the incident.
The day before, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus held a press conference in Geneva, Switzerland, stating that many children in Gambia suffered from acute kidney disease and 66 died, which is linked to four contaminated medicines produced in India.
On that day, Director-General Tedros explained, "The four medicines are cough and cold syrup products manufactured by Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited in India, and we are conducting an investigation together with Indian regulatory authorities."
Director-General Tedros added, "The contaminated medicines have so far only been confirmed in Gambia, but there is a possibility they have been distributed to other countries. We urge all countries to block the distribution of these products to prevent further harm."
The syrups in question are oral antihistamines, Copexmalin Baby Cough Syrup, Maicop Baby Cough Syrup, and Magrip N Cold Syrup.
WHO stated that laboratory analysis confirmed "unacceptable" levels of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol, which are toxic and can cause acute kidney damage.
Maiden Pharmaceuticals refused to comment on the matter, and Indian regulatory agencies were reportedly unreachable, according to CNN.
Earlier, the Gambian Ministry of Health had been investigating since July after children began dying following the consumption of medicines from the Indian pharmaceutical company.
Abubakar Janneh, a nephrologist leading the Ministry of Health's investigation, said, "Preliminary results of the ongoing investigation suggest that the syrups containing paracetamol (an antipyretic and analgesic) and promethazine (a central nervous system acting drug) are likely to have caused the acute kidney failure in this incident."
The Gambian Ministry of Health also reported, "Laboratory analysis of medicine samples confirmed the presence of 'contaminants' such as diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol in amounts exceeding permissible levels."
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