Cough syrups exported only to the Gambia, finds CDSCO probe

Source: The post is based on the article “Cough syrups exported only to the Gambia, finds CDSCO probe” published in The Hindu on 7^th October 2022.

What is the News?

Four cough syrups made by Maiden Pharmaceuticals were suspected to have caused the death of children in the Gambia. The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a warning regarding this.

Recently, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) found that these were exported only to the West African nation.

About the present issue of Maiden Pharma cough syrups

The Haryana-based manufacturer is licensed by the State Drug Controller to make the products for export only. The company has no presence in the Indian domestic market.

According to the tentative results received by the WHO, four of the 23 samples tested have been found to contain diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol.

The CDSCO has requested the WHO to share, at the earliest, the report on the establishment of the causal relation to death with the medical products in question.

About diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol

Diethylene glycol was used as an illegal adulterant in medications and could result in renal and neurological toxicity. Because of its toxicity, it is not allowed in food or drugs.

Due to its solubility, drugmakers have inappropriately substituted it for non-toxic ingredients such as glycerine in pharmaceuticals such as cough syrups and acetaminophen.

Acute kidney failure is the number one cause of death in poisoning cases, and it starts between eight and 24 hours after exposure to lethal doses of the substance. If people don’t get treatment, symptoms progress to multi-organ failure in two to seven days.