Children Taking Cough Medicine Die from Acute Kidney Failure
The Cough Medicine Is Available Without Prescription
WHO Recommends Banning Distribution of Indian Pharmaceutical Products
The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on the 23rd (local time) that more than 300 people have died so far in three countries?Indonesia, Uzbekistan, and Gambia?due to toxic substances mixed in over-the-counter cough medicines for children.
In a statement released that day, WHO said, "Children died from acute kidney failure after taking the cough medicine." WHO is currently seeking additional information related to specific raw materials used by six local manufacturers in India and Indonesia in connection with the recent deaths, and is investigating whether these manufacturers sourced their raw materials from the same supplier.
Around October last year, the Indonesian Ministry of Health requested pharmacies and healthcare workers to stop prescribing syrups and liquid medicines after about 100 children died from acute kidney injury. [Photo by EPA·Yonhap News]
Furthermore, WHO is reviewing recommendations to globally suspend the use of certain children's cough syrups whose safety concerns have not been resolved. Reuters added that WHO experts are currently evaluating the medical necessity and indications for the use of these cough syrups.
Following reports of child deaths from cough syrup consumption in Gambia last July, similar cases have occurred in Indonesia and Uzbekistan. Since these cough syrups are available without a prescription, the situation has escalated. Notably, these products contain toxic substances such as diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol, which require heightened caution.
According to WHO, diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol are toxic chemicals used as industrial solvents and antifreeze agents that can be fatal even in small amounts. Ingestion can lead to anuria, kidney damage, and in severe cases, death.
On the 23rd (local time), WHO officially announced that the investigation into contamination by diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol has been expanded beyond the three affected countries to include Cambodia, the Philippines, Timor-Leste, and Senegal.
Meanwhile, WHO issued alerts in October last year and earlier this month requesting the suspension of use of cough syrups from Maiden Pharmaceuticals and Marion Biotech in India. The manufacturing plants of these two companies are currently shut down. WHO also issued alerts to four Indonesian companies: PT Yarinindo Pharmatama, PT Universal Pharmaceuticals, PT Conimex, and PT AFI Pharma.
WHO has issued medical alerts to countries where the problematic syrup medicines are sold and has demanded the blocking of distribution of these products to prevent their spread to other countries. It has also urged member states to immediately conduct testing of cough syrup products and strengthen market surveillance.
Margaret Harris, WHO spokesperson, said, "Our top priority is to prevent any further deaths of children for the time being."
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