The World Health Organization (WHO) has asked Indian authorities whether the cough syrup Coldrif, implicated in the deaths of at least 22 children, was exported to other countries.  The request for clarification comes as the WHO contemplates issuing a Global Medical Products Alert—a warning circulated to member nations about potentially unsafe or contaminated medicines.

The syrup was found to contain harmful substances — diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol — both toxic when present in medications.  In Madhya Pradesh, dozens of children have died, while several others remain critically ill with kidney complications.

In response, India’s drug regulator, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), has instructed all state and union territory drug controllers to intensify quality checks on raw materials and finished pharmaceutical products before release into the market.  An advisory issued on October 7 noted serious lapses, including manufacturers not testing every batch of excipients or active ingredients to meet required standards.