WHO issues Red Flag on 3 Indian Pharma Companies, cites toxic cough syrups

Geneva (The Uttam Hindu): The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a global alert regarding toxic cough syrups manufactured in India. This action comes after 23 newborns died after drinking "Coldrif" syrup in Madhya Pradesh's Chhindwara district. The WHO has urged countries worldwide to closely monitor these drugs and report them to health agencies.

In its statement, the WHO identified three specific batches of medicines as hazardous: Coldrif from Srisan Pharmaceuticals, Respifresh TR from Rednex Pharmaceuticals, and Relife from Shape Pharma. The health agency warned that these toxic products pose serious health risks and can cause life-threatening illness.

India's Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has informed the WHO that the syrup was allegedly given to children under the age of five. Investigations found that the cough syrup contained a toxic chemical, diethylene glycol, at levels nearly 500 times higher than the permissible limit.

However, the CDSCO has also clarified that these contaminated medicines were not exported from India and no evidence of any illegal export has been found. Meanwhile, the US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) also confirmed on Friday that these toxic syrups were not shipped to the United States.