Health tips: License of Noida company making cough syrup canceled, how WHO declares it unsafe..

WHO Cough Syrup Alert: The World Health Organization (WHO) has advised not to use two cough syrups made in India, terming them unsafe. WHO has said in its medical product alert that cough syrups Ambronol and DOK-1 Max are substandard and do not meet the quality standards. In this case, it should not be used. The company making these syrups has not given any guarantee of their safety and quality. In such a situation, the use of cough syrup can be dangerous. Meanwhile, the central government has suspended the license of the pharmaceutical company.

These cough syrups were made by Marion Biotech, Noida, Uttar Pradesh. In the past, the Uzbekistan government had alleged that 18 children had died after drinking these two cough syrups of Marion Biotech. After this allegation of Uzbekistan, the World Health Organization tested the syrup, which has not passed the quality standard. Now the question also arises on what basis WHO declares medicines unsafe and for this which protocol and SOP does it follow? To know this, we have talked to health experts.

How to declare a medicine or syrup unsafe?
Health policy and epidemiologist Dr Anshuman Kumar told that whenever there is such a dispute regarding any medicine or syrup, WHO first tests the sample of the medicine in its lab. For this, samples of the same medicine are taken which have caused harm or death to people. In the case of Uzbekistan, the WHO has taken samples of the syrup present there and tested them in its lab. In the lab test, the amount of diethylene glycol inside these syrups is very high. After this, WHO declared these syrups unsafe.

What is its process?
Three tests are done for this
1. Composition
Preservative
3. impurity

Composition Test: In this test, it is seen whether the information about the salt and composition present in the medicine is correct or incorrect. That is if the amount of salt mentioned in any medicine or syrup is not less or more than that. If there is a difference between the information given on the medicine and the test done in the lab test, then it is not passed in the test.

Preservative Test: In this test, it is seen whether the preservatives have been mixed in the medicine and whether their quantity is according to the prescribed standard or not. Sometimes it happens that diethylene glycol is added to the syrup to bring the flavor. If their quantity is high, then they harm their health. In this test, it is shown what is the amount of glycol in the syrup. If it is more then the drug is considered to have spread in the test.

Impurity Test: The last step of lab testing is the impurity test. It should be seen whether there is any adulteration in the medicine. Because sometimes alcohol is added to some syrups. Due to this health can be harmed. In this test, it is seen whether the sipper is pure or not. If some deficiency is found in it, then the medicine is not passed in the test.

All three tests are necessary
Dr Kumar told that these three tests are done for testing any medicine. If the medicine does not pass in any one of these, then it is considered unsafe. In most cases, the amount of diethylene glycol is found in the syrup. This is a very dangerous substance. Due to its excessive quantity, there is a complaints of headaches, and vomiting. Sometimes it can also damage the kidney.

Deaths due to overdose
Dr Ajit Kumar of Rajiv Gandhi Hospital says that doctors in some countries prescribe medicine, but do not give correct information about its dosage. Many times people also take more doses due to carelessness. One of the reasons for the death of children in Uzbekistan could be an overdose of syrup.