By Staff Reporter
KARACHI: The World Health Organization on Thursday issued an alert about several contaminated syrups and suspension medicines manufactured by a Pakistani company that have been found in countries in the WHO regions.
The affected products were made by Pharmix Laboratories in Pakistan and were first identified in the Maldives and Pakistan. Some of the tainted products have also been found in Belize, Fiji and Laos.
The medicines, liquids containing active ingredients to treat various conditions, contained unacceptable levels of the contaminant ethylene glycol, which can be toxic and fatal if consumed, especially by children.
The alert is the latest in a line of warnings from WHO about similarly contaminated medicines made in India and Indonesia, which were linked to the deaths of around 300 children worldwide last year.
No adverse events have been reported to the WHO regarding the Pakistan-made syrups, the agency’s statement said, but it urged countries to step up vigilance and test products made by the company between December 2021 and December 2022.
A follow-on inspection of Pharmix Laboratories by the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) suggested that ethylene glycol as a contaminant may be present in other products and batches manufactured by the company. The safety and quality of these products cannot be guaranteed, the WHO said.
As a precautionary measure, Pharmix Laboratories has been instructed by DRAP to stop production of all oral liquid dosage medicines, and on November 16, 2023, DRAP issued a recall alert for five different syrup medicines manufactured by the company.
A total of 23 batches of Alergo syrup, Emidone suspension, Mucorid syrup, Ulcofin suspension and Zincell syrup are affected, the WHO said. Only Alergo so far has been found outside Pakistan.
The contamination levels ranged from 0.62 percent to 0.82 percent, compared to the accepted level of not more than 0.10 percent, according to the alert. The products are variously designed to treat allergies, coughs, and other health issues.
“The substandard products referenced in this alert are unsafe and their use, especially in children, may result in serious injury or death,” the WHO warned.
The WHO said it is working with the affected countries and the manufacturer to ensure the recall of the products and to prevent further distribution. It also advised health professionals and consumers to report any suspected adverse reactions to the national authorities.
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