WHO’s Global Medical Product Alert
Context:
The World Health Organization (WHO) has sought clarification from India on whether the cough syrup linked to over 15 child deaths in the country have been exported to other countries.
The WHO is yet to issue a Global Medical Products Alert on Coldrif syrup, the cough syrup which has allegedly caused the child deaths in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
About WHO’s Global Medical Product Alert:
The WHO’s medical product alerts (MPA) are urgent notifications issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) to warn countries and health authorities about substandard, falsified, or dangerous medical products that may pose significant risks to public health.
These alerts are typically issued in response to incidents involving medicines that have been contaminated, mislabeled, or otherwise compromised, potentially leading to harm or death.
The alerts typically urge countries to:
Detect and remove contaminated products from circulation
Increase inspections and monitoring of supply chains
Notify WHO if any of the identified substandard products are found
Take action against manufacturers and distributors who are involved in the creation or spread of these dangerous products
Recent Coldrif syrup row in India:
The Coldrif syrup is being investigated by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Indian authorities because it has been linked to the deaths of at least 17 children in India.
These children, all aged below five, allegedly died after consuming the syrup, which was found to contain diethylene glycol (DEG), a highly toxic substance. DEG is a chemical often used as an industrial solvent and antifreeze, and it should never be present in medicines due to its lethal potential, even in small amounts.
DEG is a chemical often used as an industrial solvent and antifreeze, and it should never be present in medicines due to its lethal potential, even in small amounts.
Prescribed to treat symptoms of cold and cough, including runny nose, sneezing and sore throat and watery eyes, Coldrif contains chlorpheniramine maleate, paracetamol and phenylephrine
The Central government, in an order dated December 18, 2023, had said that the fixed-dose combination (FDC) of chlorpheniramine maleate IP 2mg and phenylephrine HCl IP 5mg drop/ml “should not be used in children below four years of age.”
Notify WHO if any of the identified substandard products are found
Take action against manufacturers and distributors who are involved in the creation or spread of these dangerous products
Recent Coldrif syrup row in India:
The Coldrif syrup is being investigated by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Indian authorities because it has been linked to the deaths of at least 17 children in India.
These children, all aged below five, allegedly died after consuming the syrup, which was found to contain diethylene glycol (DEG), a highly toxic substance. DEG is a chemical often used as an industrial solvent and antifreeze, and it should never be present in medicines due to its lethal potential, even in small amounts.
DEG is a chemical often used as an industrial solvent and antifreeze, and it should never be present in medicines due to its lethal potential, even in small amounts.
Prescribed to treat symptoms of cold and cough, including runny nose, sneezing and sore throat and watery eyes, Coldrif contains chlorpheniramine maleate, paracetamol and phenylephrine
The Central government, in an order dated December 18, 2023, had said that the fixed-dose combination (FDC) of chlorpheniramine maleate IP 2mg and phenylephrine HCl IP 5mg drop/ml “should not be used in children below four years of age.”