The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a medical product alert for two substandard cough syrups manufactured by an Indian manufacturer, Marion Biotech Pvt. Ltd (Uttar Pradesh, India).
The alert was issued by WHO against two substandard cough syrups AMBRONOL syrup and DOK-1 Max syrup manufactured by Marion Biotec, India after 20 deaths in children were reported by Uzbekistan due to the consumption of the said syrups. In the alert summary, WHO warns of the presence of toxic levels of Diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol in the syrups which is fatal to humans.
The medical product alert is issued in response to the complaint launched by Uzbekistan to WHO in December 2022 when nearly 20 children died due to the consumption of these syrups. In response to the complaint, a lab analysis was conducted which confirmed the presence of substandard ingredients in the syrups.
However, to date, the manufacturer has not provided any safety or quality guarantee to WHO.
As the syrups have market authorization in various countries, World Health Organization has issued an alert to stop the consumption of these syrups, and if already consumed, contact the medical emergency to avoid the life-threatening effects.
Previously, in October, a warning was issued against a few cough syrups manufactured by Maiden Pharmaceuticals, India when almost 66 deaths were reported in Gambia owing to the consumption of the syrups.