Deaths of Children Due to Cough Syrups Reported, WHO Issues Warning

The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for "immediate and coordinated actions" to protect children from harmful medications. This statement follows reports of child fatalities due to cough syrups in several countries.

The Guardian reports that according to a statement from the WHO, over 300 children (mostly under the age of 5) died in 2022 in Gambia, Indonesia, and Uzbekistan due to acute kidney injuries caused by the intake of medications containing harmful substances.

The children consumed over-the-counter cough syrups that contained high amounts of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol. "These substances are toxic chemicals used as industrial solvents and antifreeze agents that can be fatal even in small amounts, and should never be present in medications," stated the WHO.

The WHO has urged all 194 member states to take action to prevent further fatalities. The organization has issued alerts regarding certain medications and requested their removal from pharmacies.

The companies responsible for the cough syrups include Indian manufacturers Maiden Pharmaceuticals and Marion Biotech, which are linked to the reported child deaths in Gambia and Uzbekistan.