Children killed by cough syrup in multiple countries, WHO urges ‘immediate action’
CCTV news client news integrated Reuters and Agence France-Presse reported that on January 23 local time, the World Health Organization called for “immediate and concerted action” to protect children from “contaminated medicines”. Cough syrup has been linked to a spate of child deaths last year.
The WHO said in a statement on the 23rd that in the past 4 months, at least 7 countries have reported incidents involving children’s cough syrup. In Gambia, Indonesia, and Uzbekistan, more than 300 children, mostly children under 5 years of age, will die from acute kidney injury related to contaminated drugs in 2022.
The drugs involved in the reported incidents have been confirmed or suspected to be contaminated and contain high concentrations of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol, the WHO said.
“These contaminants are toxic chemicals used in industrial solvents and antifreeze that can be fatal if ingested in small amounts, and should never be present in medicines,” WHO said.
WHO is calling on countries to take action to prevent more deaths.
