WHO warns of new contaminated cough syrup found in new areas

The WHO stated that the affected products were all manufactured by Pharmix Laboratories (Pakistan) and were first detected in the Maldives and Pakistan. Some contaminated products were also found in Belize, Fiji and Laos. According to the WHO, some medicines and syrups with active ingredients to treat certain medical conditions contained levels of ethylene glycol exceeding the permitted level. Currently, the WHO has not recorded any cases of side effects due to these medicines. The organization urged countries to increase vigilance and check products manufactured by Pharmix Laboratories between December 2021 and December 2022.

The WHO said that a total of 23 batches of Alergo syrup, Emidone suspension, Mucorid syrup, Ulcofin suspension and Zincell syrup were affected. Alergo syrup is the only drug detected outside Pakistan. According to the warning, the concentration of ethylene glycol in the drug ranges from 0.62-0.82%, higher than the permitted level of 0.1%. These drugs are used to treat coughs, allergies and other health problems. The WHO warned that these substandard products are unsafe and that their use, especially in children, could lead to serious injury or death. Pharmix Laboratories has not yet commented on the above information.

Earlier, the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan had found several other products contaminated during inspections of Pharmix Laboratories’ manufacturing facilities. As a result, the agency ordered the company to stop producing the cough syrup and issued a recall warning in November.

Recently, WHO has issued a series of warnings about similar cases of contaminated drugs produced in India and Indonesia, linked to 300 deaths in children worldwide.