Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) has detected toxic chemicals in cough syrups and suspensions sold in the America, Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific. These cough syrups and suspensions, including Alergo suspension, Emidone suspension, Mucorid syrup, Ulcofin suspension and Zincell syrup, are manufactured by Pharmix laboratory in Pakistan, which are used for cough and allergy treatment. The content of ethylene glycol in these drugs ranges from 0.62% to 0.82%, exceeding the permitted standard of 0.1%, which may pose serious risks to human health.
After notification, the Ministry of Health in Vietnam searched the registration documents of these drugs. It turns out that the Pharmix Laboratory neither obtains registration certificates nor submits any relevant applications, which means that these drugs cannot be imported to Vietnam.
Currently, WHO hasn’t found any cases of side effects caused by these drugs from the records. However, countries shall pay attention to products manufactured by the Pharmix laboratory from December, 2021 to December, 2022, if necessary, they shall conduct tests. WTO warns that these unqualified drugs may cause serious health risks or even cause death, especially for children. Up to now, the Pharmix laboratory remains silent on this incident.
The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) also discovered toxic chemicals in products made by the Pharmix laboratory. Then, DRAP requested the Pharmix laboratory to stop producing cough syrups. Subsequently, the DRAP issued a notice on recalling these products.
The WHO and other authorities will stay focus on these products to safeguard the public health and safety.
