Toxicity of Indian Pharma's Cough Syrup

The World Health Organisation (WHO) on the evening of Wednesday, January 11,  issued a product alert against two cough syrups made by an Indian firm that are potentially linked to the death of 18 children in Uzbekistan. The alert said the two cough syrups contained diethylene glycol (DEG) and ethylene glycol (EG)  in unacceptable levels. 

Analysis by Uzbekistan's health ministry showed the syrups contained a toxic substance, ethylene glycol, and were administered in doses higher than the standard for children, either by their parents, who mistook it for an anti-cold remedy, or on the or on the advice of pharmacists.

A report from the Gambia, another country where many children died, concluded that those syrups were responsible for deaths for 70 children in their country. 

Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India, a body that functions under the Union commerce ministry suspended the licence of Marion Biotech after the development in Uzbekistan. 

In October, the World Health Organisation (WHO) issued an alert over four cough and cold syrups manufactured by the Indian drug maker. The WHO said that laboratory tests found unacceptable levels of potentially life-threatening contaminants. The United Nations health agency also highlighted that these products might have been distributed beyond Gambia. 

As per a study Cough Syrup can also be used to treat parkinson’s disease. In another recent news Police seized arrested three persons on the charge unauthorised selling of cough syrups to people in districts of Orissa. Such is the magnitude of use of Cough Syrup.

The question that arises is then how come parents easily administer the cough syrup to their children. There are lots of doubts at play. Does this syrup even works? Many health experts discourage use of Cough Syrup without consulting a Doctor. But you visit any physician with ‘cold and cough’ symptoms and you will be most of the times prescribed with a cough syrup. Similar is the case with Antibiotic which has no evidence of working in viral infection or fever. Still the use of the Antibiotic is rampant and is prescribed by Doctors in the cases where it is not even needed. There are theories with respect to pharma lobbying but let’s not segue into that stream. 

As per a news report, "there is still research going on with no conclusive evidence" that cough syrups can cure a cough. In fact, there is little evidence to completely prove that.

Many of the available cough syrups in the Indian market are not very "rational" since they are made of more than three compositions. "Worldwide, however, there are only two compositions present in a cough syrup which is a rational combination. But in India, cough syrups are made of over three compositions, which is irrational," said Dr Sahu interviewing with India Today.

Talking about laws and regulations regarding the sale of over-the-top cough syrups, Dr Prasad said, "As of now, there aren't any laws and regulations regarding restrictions on the sale of over-the-counter cough syrup medications because they are considered to be safe if taken as directed or not taken in heavy doses."

Word Smitheries

potentially - संभवतः

discourage निरुत्‍साहित करना