The World Health Organization on Monday called for “immediate and concerted action” towards contaminated medicines after&nbsp;children's deaths linked to cough syrups last year. The organisation said, “These contaminants are toxic chemicals used as industrial solvents and antifreeze agents that can be fatal even taken in small amounts, and should never be found in medicines.”

WHO said&nbsp;that in 2022, over 300 children under the age of five died of acute kidney injuries, associated with contaminated medicines in Uzbekistan, Indonesia and Gambia.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indian-cough-syrups-linked-to-uzbekistan-deaths-should-not-be-used-for-kids-says-who-551885">Also read |&nbsp;Indian cough syrups linked to kids’ deaths in Uzbekistan should not be used, says WHO</a>

It told Reuters that the Philippines, Timor Leste, Senegal and Cambodia might also be affected because they still have the medicines on sale. It has also urged&nbsp;for action across its 194 member states to prevent deaths.&nbsp;

“Since these are not isolated incidents, WHO calls on various key stakeholders engaged in the medical supply chain to take immediate and coordinated action.”

It said that the over-the-counter-cough syrups had high levels of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com//world/uzbekistan-four-arrested-over-indian-made-cough-syrup-deaths-550023">Also read |&nbsp;Uzbekistan: Four arrested over Indian-made cough syrup deaths</a>

The WHO already sent specific product alerts in October 2022 and earlier this month, asking to remove these medicines made by India’s Maiden Pharmaceuticals and Marion biotech, which are linked to deaths in Gambia and Uzbekistan.&nbsp;

It also issued a warning last year for cough syrups made by four Indonesian manufacturers that were sold domestically. The manufacturers include PT Yarindo Farmatama, PT Universal Pharmaceutical, PT Konimex and PT AFI Pharma.

It urged the governments and regulators to assign resources to inspect manufacturers, increase market surveillance and take necessary actions.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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The World Health Organization on Monday called for “immediate and concerted action” towards contaminated medicines after children's deaths linked to cough syrups last year.

The World Health Organization on Monday called for “immediate and concerted action” towards contaminated medicines after children's deaths linked to cough syrups last year. The organisation said, “These contaminants are toxic chemicals used as industrial solvents and antifreeze agents that can be fatal even taken in small amounts, and should never be found in medicines.” WHO said that in 2022, over 300 children under the age of five died of acute kidney injuries, associated with contaminated medicines in Uzbekistan, Indonesia and Gambia. Also read | Indian cough syrups linked to kids’ deaths in Uzbekistan should not be used, says WHO It told Reuters that the Philippines, Timor Leste, Senegal and Cambodia might also be affected because they still have the medicines on sale. It has also urged for action across its 194 member states to prevent deaths. “Since these are not isolated incidents, WHO calls on various key stakeholders engaged in the medical supply chain to take immediate and coordinated action.” It said that the over-the-counter-cough syrups had high levels of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol. Also read | Uzbekistan: Four arrested over Indian-made cough syrup deaths The WHO already sent specific product alerts in October 2022 and earlier this month, asking to remove these medicines made by India’s Maiden Pharmaceuticals and Marion biotech, which are linked to deaths in Gambia and Uzbekistan. It also issued a warning last year for cough syrups made by four Indonesian manufacturers that were sold domestically. The manufacturers include PT Yarindo Farmatama, PT Universal Pharmaceutical, PT Konimex and PT AFI Pharma. It urged the governments and regulators to assign resources to inspect manufacturers, increase market surveillance and take necessary actions. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

WHO calls for immediate, concerted actions on contaminated medicines linked to over 300 kids' deaths

The World Health Organisation on Wednesday said that the cough syrups made by the&nbsp;pharmaceutical firm Marion Biotech based in India&nbsp;should not be used for children. The recommendation comes after the syrups were&nbsp;linked to the deaths of 19 children in Uzbekistan. Few claims were made after an analysis made by Uzbekistan's health ministry showed that the syrups, Ambronol and DOK-1 Max contained ethylene glycol, a toxic substance.&nbsp;

The ministry's analysis further added that syrups were given&nbsp;to children in high doses, either by their parents, who misunderstood it as an anti-cold remedy, or on the advice of pharmacists.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uzbekistan-four-arrested-over-indian-made-cough-syrup-deaths-550023">Also read |&nbsp;Uzbekistan: Four arrested over Indian-made cough syrup deaths</a>

The Indian ministry suspended the production of the syrup at the factory&nbsp;soon after the deaths of 19 children were reported in Uzbekistan. However, the state of Uttar Pradesh in north&nbsp;India&nbsp;has suspended the production licence of Marion&nbsp;Biotech, according to&nbsp;recent reports.&nbsp;

So far, Marion has not provided any evidence to WHO on the safety and quality of its products.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uzbekistan-syrup-deaths-who-says-its-in-touch-with-uzbek-authorities-548127">Also&nbsp;read |&nbsp;Uzbekistan cough syrup deaths: WHO says it's in touch with Uzbek authorities</a>

Recently, four people were arrested during an investigation into the cough syrup matter by Uzbekistan's state security service.&nbsp;

The Uzbekistan incident came to light after almost 70 children allegedly died&nbsp;in Gambia after consuming cough and cold syrup manufactured by Maiden Pharmaceuticals based in New Delhi. The company, though denied any wrongdoing in the matter, prompting investigations.&nbsp;

However, according to the data provided by the Indian government inspectors, no contamination was founded in the test samples taken from Maiden Pharmaceuticals.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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The World Health Organisation on Wednesday said that the cough syrups made by the pharmaceutical firm Marion Biotech based in India should not be used for children.

The World Health Organisation on Wednesday said that the cough syrups made by the pharmaceutical firm Marion Biotech based in India should not be used for children. The recommendation comes after the syrups were linked to the deaths of 19 children in Uzbekistan. Few claims were made after an analysis made by Uzbekistan's health ministry showed that the syrups, Ambronol and DOK-1 Max contained ethylene glycol, a toxic substance. The ministry's analysis further added that syrups were given to children in high doses, either by their parents, who misunderstood it as an anti-cold remedy, or on the advice of pharmacists. Also read | Uzbekistan: Four arrested over Indian-made cough syrup deaths The Indian ministry suspended the production of the syrup at the factory soon after the deaths of 19 children were reported in Uzbekistan. However, the state of Uttar Pradesh in north India has suspended the production licence of Marion Biotech, according to recent reports. So far, Marion has not provided any evidence to WHO on the safety and quality of its products. Also read | Uzbekistan cough syrup deaths: WHO says it's in touch with Uzbek authorities Recently, four people were arrested during an investigation into the cough syrup matter by Uzbekistan's state security service. The Uzbekistan incident came to light after almost 70 children allegedly died in Gambia after consuming cough and cold syrup manufactured by Maiden Pharmaceuticals based in New Delhi. The company, though denied any wrongdoing in the matter, prompting investigations. However, according to the data provided by the Indian government inspectors, no contamination was founded in the test samples taken from Maiden Pharmaceuticals. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Indian cough syrups linked to kids’ deaths in Uzbekistan should not be used, says WHO

Uzbekistan authorities on Friday (January 6) arrested four people in connection with the ongoing investigation of an Indian-made cough syrup blamed for the deaths of 19 children.

Uzbekistan authorities on Friday (January 6) arrested four people in connection with the ongoing investigation of an Indian-made cough syrup blamed for the deaths of 19 children. The cough syrup- Doc-1 Max was manufactured by Indian-based pharmaceutical Marion Biotech. The company has suspended production of all medicines (including Doc-1 Max) at its unit in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. Of these deaths in Uzbekistan, 18 children were from the southeastern city of Samarkand and the 19th victim, a one-year-old child, was from the Qashqadaryo region. ALSO READ | India-made cough syrup blamed for kids' deaths in Uzbekistan, production halted at unit Speaking to the news agency Reuters, the Uzbek state security service said on Friday that among the four arrested- two were senior employees of the Scientific Center for Standardization of Medicines, who circumvented the proper testing procedures for Doc-1 Max. The other two arrested were executives of Quramax Medikal- a company that imported Marion Biotech's medicines. In December last year, Uzbekistan's health ministry said the cough syrup contained ethylene glycol, a toxic substance, adding it was administered in doses higher than the standard dose for children. The 19 children died due to acute renal failure. Earlier, the government had temporarily suspended sales of all Marion Biotech medicines across Uzbekistan. On December 30, 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) said that it was in touch with Uzbekistan's authorities and was in the process of gathering information and validating reports regarding the cough syrup deaths. ALSO READ | India's Maiden Pharmaceuticals culpable for cough syrup deaths: Gambia panel India's health minister Mansukh Mandaviya, meanwhile, said on December 29, 2022, that Indian investigators spoke to their Uzbek counterparts and Marion Biotech's facility was being inspected. Taking to Twitter, Mandaviya said that samples of the cough syrup were taken from the manufacturing premises and sent to the Regional Drugs Testing Laboratory in Chandigarh for testing. This is the second instance where an Indian pharmaceutical has come under the scanner for children dying after consuming cough syrups. Last year, Maiden Pharmaceuticals was held responsible for the deaths of at least 70 children in Gambia. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Uzbekistan: Four arrested over Indian-made cough syrup deaths

India on Friday (December 30) suspended cough syrup maker's production after reports emerged that the medicine was linked to the deaths of 19 children in Uzbekistan. Indian Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said that all production had been suspended at Marion Biotech's unit in Noida, a city in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh.&nbsp;

Mandaviya wrote on Twitter on Friday: "All manufacturing activities of Marion Biotech at Noida unit have been stopped yesterday night, while further investigation is ongoing."&nbsp;

Hasan Harris, who is the legal head of Marion, told India-based news agency ANI that the company had halted production of all medicines. They are now waiting for the Indian government's report on the inspection.&nbsp;

Uzbekistan's health ministry earlier claimed in a statement that the children died after consuming cough syrup Doc-1 Max, manufactured by Marion Biotech—an Indian drugmaker. Concerns were raised when Uzbek's health ministry said that the syrup contained a toxic substance known as ethylene glycol.&nbsp;

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Following inspection by <a href="https://twitter.com/CDSCO_INDIA_INF?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CDSCO_INDIA_INF</a> team in view of reports of contamination in cough syrup Dok1 Max, all manufacturing activities of Marion Biotech at NOIDA unit have been stopped yesterday night, while further investigation is ongoing.
— Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) <a href="https://twitter.com/mansukhmandviya/status/1608715292091486210?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 30, 2022</a></blockquote>
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The Uzbek authorities said that at least 18 children had died in the southeastern city of Samarkand. On Thursday, local media reports claimed that a one-year-old child (19th victim) in the nearby region of Qashqadaryo.&nbsp;

Yesterday, the Indian ministry said that the company's facility has been reviewed. They also mentioned that the samples of the cough syrup have been taken from the manufacturing premises and sent to Regional Drugs Testing Laboratory in Chandigarh for further testing.&nbsp;

While responding to the situation, India's foreign ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, "We understand that legal action has been initiated by the Uzbek authorities against some people, including the local representative of the company there… And in that context, we are extending necessary consular assistance to those individuals or individual."&nbsp;

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India on Friday (December 30) suspended cough syrup maker's production after reports emerged that the medicine was linked to the deaths of 19 children in Uzbekistan.

India on Friday (December 30) suspended cough syrup maker's production after reports emerged that the medicine was linked to the deaths of 19 children in Uzbekistan. Indian Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said that all production had been suspended at Marion Biotech's unit in Noida, a city in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh. Mandaviya wrote on Twitter on Friday: "All manufacturing activities of Marion Biotech at Noida unit have been stopped yesterday night, while further investigation is ongoing." Hasan Harris, who is the legal head of Marion, told India-based news agency ANI that the company had halted production of all medicines. They are now waiting for the Indian government's report on the inspection. Uzbekistan's health ministry earlier claimed in a statement that the children died after consuming cough syrup Doc-1 Max, manufactured by Marion Biotech—an Indian drugmaker. Concerns were raised when Uzbek's health ministry said that the syrup contained a toxic substance known as ethylene glycol. Following inspection by @CDSCO_INDIA_INF team in view of reports of contamination in cough syrup Dok1 Max, all manufacturing activities of Marion Biotech at NOIDA unit have been stopped yesterday night, while further investigation is ongoing. — Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) December 30, 2022 × The Uzbek authorities said that at least 18 children had died in the southeastern city of Samarkand. On Thursday, local media reports claimed that a one-year-old child (19th victim) in the nearby region of Qashqadaryo. Yesterday, the Indian ministry said that the company's facility has been reviewed. They also mentioned that the samples of the cough syrup have been taken from the manufacturing premises and sent to Regional Drugs Testing Laboratory in Chandigarh for further testing. While responding to the situation, India's foreign ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, "We understand that legal action has been initiated by the Uzbek authorities against some people, including the local representative of the company there… And in that context, we are extending necessary consular assistance to those individuals or individual." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.