India tests cough syrups linked to Gambia child deaths

STORY: India is testing samples of cough syrups that have been linked by the World Health Organization to the deaths of more than 65 children in Gambia.

Following laboratory analysis the WHO says four products by local manufacturer Maiden Pharmaceuticals were found to have "unacceptable" amounts of both diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol, which can be toxic and lead to acute kidney injury.

They're both used in antifreeze, brake fluids and other industrial applications but also as a cheaper alternative in some pharmaceutical products to glycerine, a solvent or thickening agent in many cough syrups.

Naresh Kumar Goyal, a Maiden director, said the company had only heard about the deaths on Thursday (October 6) morning and was trying to find out more.

He said Maiden does not sell in India, and India's health ministry said the cough syrups were only exported to Gambia.

The deaths could deal a major blow to India's image as a "pharmacy of the world".

India's health ministry said importing countries typically test such products before allowing their use.

It also said samples of all four products that had been exported to Gambia had been sent for testing to a federal laboratory.