WHO says India has much to do on toxic cough syrup despite some progress

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Tests showed that the Coldrif cough medicine made by Sresan Pharma contained the toxin diethylene glycol in quantities nearly 500 times the permissible limit.

PHOTO: REUTERS

LONDON - India has more work to do in halting sales of toxic cough syrup, despite some progress, a World Health Organisation (WHO) official told Reuters, after

at least 24 children died

The children died after taking the

Coldrif cough medicine

They came just two years after global pledges to tighten the system following the deaths of at least 300 children around the world linked to similar toxins in syrup-based medicines made in India and Indonesia.

But enforcement issues persist, the WHO said.

“They have made some strides,” said the official, Mr Rutendo Kuwana, referring to a new Indian rule requiring medicine to be tested for contaminants like diethylene and ethylene glycol before export.

However, no such rule exists for syrups sold locally – a “regulatory gap” the WHO has flagged.

“It’s a work in progress,” added Mr Kuwana, the WHO team lead for incidents involving substandard and falsified medicines.

“There’s a lot that needs to be done. It’s a big market, with tens of thousands of manufacturers and many states to deal with.”

Last week Reuters reported that India plans to scrap its export rule once companies

upgrade their facilities to international standards

India’s