Contaminated cough syrups
On 13 Oct 2025 the WHO issued a medical product alert after three Indian oral cough syrups were found to contain diethylene glycol far above safe limits and were linked to child deaths in Madhya Pradesh. The alert named specific products and manufacturers and urged countries to report any detection; regulators in India said the contaminated batches were not exported. WHO’s rapid notice emphasizes the recurring global risk posed by substandard or contaminated pharmaceuticals — especially oral liquids for children — and calls for improved factory oversight, supply-chain traceability, and testing.
The incident has renewed attention on medicine-quality surveillance in the South-East Asia region and the need for rapid cross-border alerts to prevent further harm. Clinicians and parents were advised to check product names against WHO’s alert and to seek immediate care if children show signs of poisoning. Reuters+2World Health Organization+2
WHO Issues Global Alert on Contaminated Cough Syrups After Child Deaths in India
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a global alert following reports of contaminated cough syrups linked to the deaths of several children in India. The warning comes after laboratory tests confirmed the presence of diethylene glycol (DEG) and ethylene glycol (EG) — toxic industrial solvents that can cause severe kidney injury, brain damage, and death if ingested.
According to WHO, the tainted syrups were produced by an Indian pharmaceutical manufacturer and exported to multiple countries. National health authorities in affected regions have been urged to remove the products from circulation immediately and increase vigilance over all pediatric liquid medicines. The agency emphasized that this is not an isolated incident — similar tragedies have occurred in the past in Gambia, Uzbekistan, and Cameroon, all traced to contaminated syrups of Indian origin.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed deep concern, urging governments and manufacturers to strengthen quality control and supply chain monitoring. He highlighted the urgent need for stricter enforcement of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and routine product testing to prevent future outbreaks of poisoning.
The Indian government has launched an investigation into the implicated manufacturer and is reviewing its export monitoring system. Health experts have called for a global registry of substandard and falsified medicines, along with improved cooperation between regulatory authorities.
Parents and healthcare providers are advised to avoid unverified brands, check batch numbers, and immediately report any adverse reactions. The WHO reiterated its call for pharmaceutical transparency, stating that “no child should die because of a medicine that is meant to heal.”
Reference:
- World Health Organization (WHO). “Medical Product Alert: Contaminated Cough Syrups.” October 2025.
- Reuters Health News, October 13, 2025.
Contaminated cough syrups
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