WHO issues cough syrup alert

The WHO has issued an alert regarding a batch of contaminated cough syrup sold in Cameroon, noting that it contained unacceptable amounts of contaminant chemicals. Deutsche Welle reports the stated active ingredients of Naturcold syrup are listed as paracetamol, phenylephrine hydrochloride and chlorpheniramine maleate – a combination used to relieve symptoms associated with the common cold, flu and allergic rhinitis. The medicine was analysed in a WHO-contracted laboratory after samples from Cameroon were made available last month. As much as 28.6% diethylene glycol was detected in the syrup. The acceptable limit is no more than 0.10%. Diethylene glycol is normally used as a solvent, but can be illicitly put in medicine as a cheap alternative to more expensive ingredients. The product packaging lists Fraken International (England) as a manufacturer, but the UK national regulatory authority has confirmed that no such company exists in the UK.

Full Deutsche Welle report