Toxic Cough Syrups Behind Tragic Child Deaths: What Went Wrong?
Several child deaths have been linked to the consumption of adulterated cough syrup in India. Diethylene glycol deaths have come up again, and the deadly drug has taken the lives of many children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. It is a matter of grave concern to determine what it would take to prioritize the safety and health of Indian children.
What happened?
Two children died of kidney complications in Betul in Madhya Pradesh, it was found that they had consumed Coldrif cough syrup.
In Amla, 11 kids died after consuming the toxic cough syrup. Dr. Ashok Narware identified the kids Kabir (4) and Garmit, who were two and a half years old, were taken to Parasia for fever treatment. The kids had developed kidney issues and abdominal swelling. Kabir was taken to Nagpur, then to Bhopal, where he died on 8 September, and Garmit died on 1 October.
How is diethylene glycol (DEG ) killing Indian Kids?
What is DEG?
DEG is an industrial solvent used in brake fluids, antifreeze, resins, and dyes, among many things, and basically used to thicken medicines. Pharma companies have used it.
- It can cause acute kidney failure, permanent disability, or death.
- Authorities have denied contamination or violation of manufacturing protocols.
The manufacturing of toxic cough syrups can be stopped in India if strict quality control measures are implemented.
What is the Government and WHO Response?
The World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted the issue and expressed concerns over syrups made in India, which are exported to other countries. India has tightened pre-export testing for cough syrups in India.
The measures taken by the Indian drug regulatory authorities are :-
- Encompass risk-based inspections of manufacturing facilities.
- Rigorous quality control checks of medicinal products intended for export.
- Increased transparency in the supply chain. of excipients prone to EG and DEG contamination.
- In May 2023, the CDSCO issued a notification mandating a testing protocol for cough syrups in designated Indian laboratories before export.
Also Read:-
I am a content writer and a teacher with 17 years of experience. I write entertainment news. A qualified Masters of Business Administration with an additional Mphil in Management, possessing more than seventeen years of content writing experience.