Over the past four months, countries have reported on several incidents of over-the-counter cough syrups for children with confirmed or suspected contamination with high levels of diethylene glycol (DEG) and ethylene glycol (EG). 

The cases are from at least seven countries, associated with more than 300 fatalities in three of these countries. WHO’s medical product alerts were rapidly disseminated to all 194 Member States.  

These medical product alerts requested; (a) the detection and removal of contaminated medicines from circulation in the markets, (b) increased surveillance and diligence within the supply chains of countries and regions likely to be affected, (c) immediate notification to WHO if these substandard products are discovered in-country.