FDA joins international investigation into contaminated cough syrups that have killed over 300 children

The Food and Drug Administration announced Wednesday that they are partnering with the World Health Organization and other international partners to investigate the source of contaminated cough syrups that have killed more than 300 children in Asia and Africa.

The international reports of contaminated products were announced by the WHO on Oct. 5, 2022. Over-the-counter cough syrups sold in several countries were found to be tainted with diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol, which are toxic to humans. According to Reuters, most of the children who died were under 5 years old and the cause of death was acute kidney injury.

There is no evidence at this time that the contaminated products have entered the U.S. supply, the FDA said. The stated manufacturer of those products, which include Promethazine Oral Solution, Kofexmalin Baby Cough Syrup, Makoff Baby Cough Syrup and Magrip N Cold Syrup, was Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited, a company in Haryana, India.