The Punjab-based manufacturer said it does not sell the syrup in Western Pacific countries, the WHO said in an email to The Indian Express, adding that the warning was issued only to protect our country.
After issuing a medical alert for contamination of India-made cough syrup, the World Health Organization (WHO) said it acted on information and photographs of the packaging received from the Australian regulator Therapeutic Goods Administration and the affected countries – the Marshall Islands and Micronesia.
The agency said it was still gathering information from the Australian regulator about the number of samples collected from the two countries and the unacceptable levels of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol contaminants..
The WHO said it was awaiting information from affected countries on any adverse events or deaths potentially linked to the syrups.
He said the question should not have reached his agency if all the documents were properly inspected. “We sold drugs for use in Cambodia. How did it get to the Marshall Islands and Micronesia and where were the samples taken from?
Ideally, in such an investigation the regulator should ask the retailer where they got the drug from, then contact the wholesaler and check who they imported [the drug] from. If this process is followed, they will know that our company does not sell drugs.
