Cough syrup has killed more than 300 people in three countries. Website of the World Health Organization (WHO) says.
According to it, most are young children under the age of five.
«Over the past four months, countries have reported on several incidents of over-the-counter cough syrups for children with confirmed or suspected contamination with high levels of diethylene glycol (DEG) and ethylene glycol (EG). The cases are from at least seven countries, associated with more than 300 fatalities in three of these countries,» WHO noted.
According to the organization, these contaminants are toxic chemicals used as industrial solvents and antifreeze agents that can be fatal even taken in small amounts, and should never be found in medicines.
The WHO sent alerts to all 194 member countries requesting removal of contaminated medicines from circulation in the markets, as well as other measures to prevent new tragedies.
