WHO probing Indian syrups after 66 kids die in Gambia

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised an alert over four fever, cold and cough syrups made by an Indian company, urging people not to use them after death of 66 children in the west African nation of Gambia, reports UNB.
All the four syrups-Promethazine Oral Solution, Kofexmalin Baby Cough Syrup, Makoff Baby Cough Syrup and Magrip N Cold Syrup - are made by India's Maiden Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
"Laboratory analysis of samples of each of the four products confirms that they contain unacceptable amounts of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol as contaminants. To date, these four products have been identified in Gambia, but may have been distributed, through informal markets, to other countries or regions," the WHO said in its alert.
All batches of the products "should be considered unsafe" till they are analysed by the respective national regulatory authorities, it said.
The Hindustan Times daily reported that WHO in its medical product alert over the syrups warned that they could be linked to acute kidney injuries and deaths of 66 children.