WHO discovered a fatal ingredient in cough syrup circulating in many countries

Hundreds of children have died since the end of 2022, due to using cough syrup contaminated with the toxic chemical ethylene glycol (EG) .

Cough syrup. (Illustration photo: Hindustan Times)

On April 15, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a warning to pharmaceutical companies about 5 batches of sweet-tasting alcohol propylene glycol , an ingredient used to make medical syrup, contaminated with toxic chemicals. ethylene glycol (EG), has been falsely labeled as being produced by subsidiaries of Dow Chemical (USA) in Asia and Europe.

This move comes after the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) issued three warnings between January and March 2024 about high levels of EG in propylene glycol containers that the agency used. seized and believed to have been produced by Dow Chemical's subsidiaries in Thailand, Germany and Singapore.

According to WHO, the drugs and syrups contain the toxic substance ethylene glycol at "unacceptable" levels. The level of contamination ranges from 0.62% to 0.82% compared to the prescribed threshold of no more than 0.1%. These medications are used to treat coughs, allergies, and other health problems.

WHO said a total of 23 product batches, trade names Alergo syrup, Emidone mixture, Mucorid syrup, Ulcofin mixture and Zincell syrup were affected . To date, only Alergo has been found outside Pakistan.

Cough syrups containing EG manufactured by India and Indonesia have been linked to more than 300 child deaths globally since the end of 2022. These syrups were found to contain high levels of EG and diethylene glycol, which are also a toxic chemical, leading to acute kidney injury and death.

WHO warns that products that do not meet these standards are unsafe and that use of the products, especially by children, can lead to serious injury or death.