GENEVA: The World Health Organization (WHO) urgently calls on countries to step up the use of substandard medical products after more than 300 children died in several countries from contaminated cough syrups. I was.
According to the WHO, several incidents have been reported in the past four months about over-the-counter cough syrups for children contaminated with high levels of diethylene glycol (DEG) and ethylene glycol (EG), Xinhua News Agency said. reported.
“These are toxic chemicals used as industrial solvents and cryoprotectants that can be fatal in even small amounts and should never be included in medicines.” Cases in at least seven countries. and deaths occurred in Gambia, Indonesia and Uzbekistan. Most cases were in her infants under the age of five.
“These are not isolated incidents,” WHO said, calling on key stakeholders in the medical supply chain to take immediate and coordinated action. The WHO said it needed to eliminate them and strengthen oversight and diligence within the supply chain.And if any products that do not meet standards are found, the WHO should be notified immediately and the relevant drug hazards should be notified. The public should be made aware of its toxicity and toxic effects.
WHO has also called on regulators and governments to ensure that all medical products on the market in their countries are approved for sale by the competent authorities and are available from licensed suppliers.
Meanwhile, WHO says drug manufacturers should only purchase pharmaceutical-grade excipients from qualified and honest suppliers. Comprehensive testing must be performed upon receipt of supplies and prior to use in the manufacture of final products.
Suppliers and distributors of medical products must constantly check for signs of counterfeiting and verify the physical condition of pharmaceuticals and other health products. WHO says only medicines approved by competent authorities should be distributed or sold.
