WHO probing 66 children death in Gambia

Subject: Health

Context: After death of 66 children in Gambia, WHO warns about four Indian cough syrups.

Concept :

Following the death of 66 children in Gambia, the World Health Organization (WHO) has raised an alert over four fever, cold, and cough syrups made by a Haryana based Indian company, urging people to not use them.
India’s apex drug regulatory authority – the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) – has already launched an investigation into the matter after it was informed about the issue.
It is found that the drug has been contaminated by diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol.
Diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol can cause toxic effects, including abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, inability to pass urine, headache, altered mental state, and acute kidney injury that may lead to death.

Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)

CDSCO is under Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India is the National Regulatory Authority (NRA) of India.
The Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules 1945 have entrusted various responsibilities to central & state regulators for regulation of drugs & cosmetics.
Under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, CDSCO is responsible for :
Approval of Drugs
Conduct of Clinical Trials
Laying down the standards for Drugs
Control over the quality of imported Drugs in the country
Coordination of the activities of State Drug Control Organizations
Bring out the uniformity in the enforcement of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.
Further CDSCO along with state regulators, is jointly responsible for the grant of licenses of certain specialized categories of critical Drugs such as blood and blood products, I. V. Fluids, Vaccine etc.