WHO warns of global threat from contaminated cough syrup

On June 16, Reuters news agency quoted information from the WHO saying that it is monitoring contaminated cough syrups that can potentially kill children. The organization previously named 9 countries around the world, after the deaths of more than 300 children were suspected to be related to poor quality cough syrups.

Rutendo Kuwana, WHO team leader on substandard and falsified medicines, declined to name the six new countries the organization is working with, citing ongoing investigations.

It could take years to find all the contaminated drugs, Kuwana said, as many contaminated containers may still be in storage. “This is an ongoing risk,” he added.

Some pharmaceutical manufacturing experts believe that unscrupulous manufacturers choose cheap chemicals to use in cough syrup.

Pharmaceutical manufacturers, including those accused of producing the tainted syrups found so far, often source their ingredients from outside suppliers.

There is currently no risk to people in the countries named by WHO, Mr Kuwana said, explaining that the contaminated syrups had been recalled or intercepted at the time of import.

Cameroon’s health authority said in April it was investigating the deaths of six children linked to a cough syrup branded Naturcold. The manufacturer listed on the label is China’s Fraken Group. The company did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.

In a separate statement, Cameroon authorities said the drug may have been smuggled and illegally traded in the country.

According to Tuoi Tre