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Nearly half of the world's population suffer from oral diseases, the majority of them in low- and middle-income countries, as per a WHO report. 

Nearly half of the world population suffers from oral diseases: WHO 

Nearly half of the world's population suffer from oral diseases, the majority of them in low- and middle-income countries, as per a WHO report.&nbsp;

According to World Health Organisation (WHO), 46 per cent of the global population or 3.5 billion people are battling gum diseases and other oral illnesses.&nbsp;
The new report suggested that worldwide, untreated cavities are the most common oral health issue, affecting more than 2 billion people and severe gum disease affects about 1 billion people.
Apart from that, about 380,000 new cases of oral cancers are diagnosed every year.&nbsp;
However, oral disease can be prevented. As per WHO, countries should include oral health services as part of their primary health care models and improve access to affordable dental care like toothpaste.
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According to WHO, a person should consume only 5 grams of salt in a day, whereas people consume twice as much of it daily.

Sodium Intake: WHO report warns people about over consumption of salt; know what else it says

WHO report warns people about over consumption of salt; know what else it says

According to WHO, a person should consume only&nbsp;5 grams of salt in a day, whereas people consume twice as much of it daily.

Excess intake of sodium is becoming one of the major causes of deaths and life risking diseases across the globe, according to a recent report released by World Health Organization (WHO).&nbsp;
According to WHO, a person should consume only 5 grams of salt in a day, whereas people consume twice as much of it daily. Sodium is essential for our body but if consumed in excess, can cause heart attack, stroke and premature death. Salt is the major source of sodium and people tend to add extra salt in their food.
The WHO report also states that if the right policy is implemented in all the countries on low consumption of sodium right away, then by 2030 lives of 7 million people can be saved globally.&nbsp;
Also watch: <a title="Salt Alert: Here's how you can reduce sodium intake in your meals" href="https://www.editorji.com/lifestyle-news/health/salt-alert-here-s-how-you-can-reduce-sodium-intake-in-your-meals-1671540654029">Salt Alert: Here's how you can reduce sodium intake in your meals</a>
&nbsp;

One person dies every 40 seconds from suicide: WHO

"Despite progress, one person still dies every 40 seconds from suicide,&rdquo; says WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.&nbsp;Suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people aged 15-29 years, after road injury.&nbsp;On 10 September, WHO, in collaboration with global partners, the World Federation for Mental Health, the International Association for Suicide Prevention and United for Global Mental Health, launched the "40 seconds of action" campaign to focus on suicide prevention.&nbsp;

"Despite progress, one person still dies every 40 seconds from suicide,&rdquo; says WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.&nbsp;Suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people aged 15-29 years, after road injury.&nbsp;On 10 September, WHO, in collaboration with global partners, the World Federation for Mental Health, the International Association for Suicide Prevention and United for Global Mental Health, launched the "40 seconds of action" campaign to focus on suicide prevention.&nbsp;

"Despite progress, one person still dies every 40 seconds from suicide,&rdquo; says WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people aged 15-29 years, after road injury.&nbsp;

On 10 September, WHO, in collaboration with global partners, the World Federation for Mental Health, the International Association for Suicide Prevention and United for Global Mental Health, launched the "40 seconds of action" campaign to focus on suicide prevention.&nbsp;
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The process of cancellation of the drugs licenses of Marion Biotech pharmaceutical is in process and a report will be sent to the UP government.

Marion Biotech drug's manufacturing license's processed for cancellation | Uzbek children death

Marion Biotech drugs licences cancellation in process, Mation linked to death of 18 Uzbek children, 

The process of cancellation of the drugs licenses of Marion Biotech pharmaceutical is in process and a report will be sent to the UP government.

The process has been initiated for cancellation of the drug license of pharmaceutical firm Marion Biotech, which is allegedly linked with the death of 18 children in Uzbekistan who consumed their cough syrup in December 2022, officials&nbsp; said on Sunday.
All production of drugs and other activities at the firm's campus in Sector 67 of Noida have also been stopped completely, Gautam Buddh Nagar drug inspector Vaibhav Babbar said.
On Friday, the local police arrested three senior employees of the firm after an FIR was lodged against them on charges of manufacturing and sale of adulterated drugs.
The two directors of the company named in the FIR, however, still remain at large.
&ldquo;The process has been initiated for cancellation of the drug license of pharmaceutical firm Marion Biotech. Paperwork for it is in progress and a report has been sent to the Uttar Pradesh government," Babbar told PTI.
"All production at the firm had been suspended in January itself and now it has been completely stopped,&rdquo; he said.
Marion Biotech had come under the scanner in December over reports of the children's death in Uzbekistan after which India's Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) initiated a probe into the matter and found 22 out of 36 samples &ldquo;not of standard quality&rdquo; (adulterated and spurious).
The World Health Organization had also declared a &ldquo;medical product alert&rdquo; related to Marion Biotech's drugs in the wake of the deaths reported in Uzbekistan.
The cough syrup 'Dok-1 Max', which was under the spotlight, has no domestic market in India and it was only an export item, the drug inspector said.
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Cough syrup-related deaths: after WHO alert, Indian pharma's production licence suspended

On Wednesday, the WHO also issued a 'medical product alert', referring to two substandard (contaminated) products, identified in Uzbekistan and reported to it on December 22, 2022.

The production licence of Noida-based pharmaceutical firm Marion Biotech, allegedly linked with the deaths of children in Uzbekistan, has been suspended while the test results of its controversial cough syrup are awaited, an Uttar Pradesh drug official said Thursday.
A team of central agencies and the Uttar Pradesh drug department on Thursday carried out a fresh inspection at Marion Biotech's office here, a day after the World Health Organisation (WHO) issued a medical product alert on Ambronol and Dok-1 Max syrups, both manufactured by the firm.
The health ministry of Uzbekistan claimed these children had consumed the cough syrup.
On Wednesday, the WHO also issued a 'medical product alert', referring to two substandard (contaminated) products, identified in Uzbekistan and reported to it on December 22, 2022.
Also watch: <a title="Cough syrup-related deaths: after WHO alert, Indian pharma's production licence suspended" href="https://www.editorji.com/india-news/local/cough-syrup-related-deaths-after-who-alert-indian-pharma-s-production-licence-suspended-1673533332705">Cough syrup-related deaths: after WHO alert, Indian pharma's production licence suspended</a>
With PTI Inputs

The WHO said that Marion's "substandard" medical products "fail to meet quality standards or specifications".

WHO warns against Indian company Marion's cough syrup use for children in Uzbekistan after death reports

The WHO said that Marion's "substandard" medical products "fail to meet quality standards or specifications".

In fresh trouble for Indian pharma company Marion Biotech, the World Health Organisation has recommended against use of its products in Uzbekistan.
The global health body said on 11 January 2023 that two cough syrups made by the Noida-based company should not be used for children in Uzbekistan. The WHO said that Marion's "substandard" medical products "fail to meet quality standards or specifications".
The two cough syrups are AMBRONOL and DOK-1 Max.
The recommendation follows reports of children dying after consuming the cough syrups in Uzbekistan.
Also Watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/indian-cough-syrup-under-scanner-after-66-children-die-in-gambia-who-1664988276911">Indian cough syrup under scanner after 66 children die in Gambia: WHO</a>

The WHO also said that Beijing is using a very "narrow" definition to declare Covid as the cause of death of patients.

Covid: WHO says China not revealing 'true impact', Beijing not providing 'complete data' on surge

The WHO also said that Beijing is using a very "narrow" definition to declare Covid as the cause of death of patients.

Even as China is issuing threats to countries imposing Covid testing rules on travellers from the country, the World Health Organisation has criticised Beijing.
WHO's emergencies director on 4 January 2023 said that the current numbers from China "under-represent the true impact of the disease in terms of hospital admissions, ICU admissions, and deaths".
The WHO also said that Beijing is using a very "narrow" definition to declare Covid as the cause of death of patients.
Also Watch:<a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/covid-despite-china-s-anger-eu-advises-member-nations-to-make-pre-departure-testing-mandatory-1672886637123"> Covid: Despite China's anger, EU advises member-nations to make pre-departure testing mandatory</a>

WHO urges China to share real-time data on Covid infections

It asked for data on vaccinations delivered and vaccination status, especially in vulnerable people and those aged over 60.

The World Health Organization met Chinese officials for talks on Friday about the surge in Covid-19 cases, urging them to share real-time data so other countries can respond effectively.
The rise in infections in China has triggered concern around the globe and questions about its data reporting, with low official figures on cases and deaths despite some hospitals and morgues being overwhelmed.
The talks came after WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged Beijing to be more forthcoming on the pandemic situation in the world's most populous country.
The UN health agency said the meeting was "to seek further information on the situation, and to offer WHO's expertise and further support."
It said officials from China's National Health Commission and the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration briefed the WHO on China's evolving strategy and actions on epidemiology, variant monitoring, vaccination, clinical care, communication and research and development.
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"WHO again asked for regular sharing of specific and real-time data on the epidemiological situation -- including more genetic sequencing data, data on disease impact including hospitalisations, intensive care unit admissions and deaths," it said.
It asked for data on vaccinations delivered and vaccination status, especially in vulnerable people and those aged over 60.

The WHO is supporting China to focus its efforts on vaccinating people at the highest risk across the country said the head of the World Health Organisation

WHO chief: urge Beijing to provide detailed information about the severity of covid situation

The WHO is supporting China to focus its efforts on vaccinating people at the highest risk across the country said the head of the World Health Organisation

WHO has expressed serious concern over the evolving coronavirus situation in China. WHO chief in an address to the press on Wednesday urged China to vaccinate high risk patients and appealed for detailed information on disease severity, hospital admissions and intensive care requirements.
&ldquo;We continue to hold out hope that China will share the data and conduct the studies we have requested, and which we continue to request. As I have said many times before, all hypotheses about the origins of this pandemic remain on the table,&rdquo; WHO chief, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a weekly news conference.
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Following Drugs Controller General of India VG Somani's letter to WHO that said there has been no direct causal relation established yet between the cough syrup consumption and the deaths of Gambia kids

Gambia kids' death: After DGCI's tentative clearance, Maiden pharma seeks factory reopening

Maiden's MD Naresh Kumar Goyal told Reuters that his company did nothing wrong and now they look forward to requesting the authorities to let them reopen the factory.

Maiden's MD Naresh Kumar Goyal told Reuters that his company did nothing wrong and now they look forward to requesting the authorities to let them reopen the factory

Following Drugs Controller General of India VG Somani's letter to WHO that said there has been no direct causal relation established yet between the cough syrup consumption and the deaths of Gambia kids, Haryana based Maiden Pharmaceuticals&nbsp; is now seeking clearance to reopen its factory.
Maiden's MD Naresh Kumar Goyal told Reuters that his company did nothing wrong and now they look forward to requesting the authorities to let them reopen the factory.
In the letter, Somani said the samples of four made-in-India cough syrups linked to the deaths of 66 children in Gambia which were tested in government laboratory here were found to be complying with specifications and not to have been contaminated with DEG or EG according to the test reports.
Also watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/india-news/maiden-pharma-cough-syrup-maker-has-who-s-good-manufacturing-practices-certification-1665110747494">Maiden Pharma: Cough syrup maker has WHO's Good Manufacturing Practices certification</a>
Health authorities had halted production at the unit in October after the WHO suspected its link with the deaths.
(With agency inputs)

WHO in its statement termed the winter this year in war ravaged Ukraine as life-threatening for millions for people in the country. With brutal winter approaching, what's next for the nine-month long Russia-Ukraine war?  

This winter will be about survival in Ukraine says WHO

WHO in its statement termed the winter this year in war ravaged Ukraine as life-threatening for millions for people in the country. With brutal winter approaching, what's next for the nine-month long Russia-Ukraine war?&nbsp;&nbsp;

Ukraine is evacuating civilians from recently liberated sections fearing that a lack of heat, power and water will make conditions too unliveable this winter.
This after the World Health Organisation delivered a chilling warning about the energy crisis and its impact on humans in the war-torn country.
Russia has been targeting Ukraine's power infrastructure from the air for weeks causing widespread blackouts and depriving millions of Ukrainians of essential energy requirements.
Warning that cold weather can kill, the WHO said while 10 million Ukrainians remain without power, many face life-threatening health conditions as temperatures fall to as low as -20 degrees.
It estimates that another two to three million people will be displaced from their homes to find warmth and safety over winter.
With more than 50% of the country's energy facilities damaged by Russian missile strikes, Ukrainians are most likely to live with blackouts at least until the end of March
But the war has continued despite the deteriorating weather conditions, with Ukrainian forces pressing against Russian positions and Moscow keeping up shelling and missile strikes
However, the approaching harsh winter will bring new logistical difficulties for troops and equipment on both sides
The wet-cold conditions due to snow, rain and muddy grounds makes fighting and moving essential items like food and ammunition difficult.&nbsp;
Trying to maintain vehicles, cleaning wet rifles, and even standing guard with frozen hands in damp clothing becomes challenging
While the bad weather is likely to slowdown military advances on both sides, experts believe that the fighting won&rsquo;t pause
Reportedly, over 16,000 civilians have been killed and 7.7 million internally displaced in Ukraine since February&nbsp;
US estimates over 200,000 military casualties on all sides in Ukraine war

Moscow has been targeting energy infrastructure, launching missile strikes that have left homes across the country without electricity as temperatures plunge.

WHO warns of 'life-threatening' winter for millions in Ukraine

Millions of Ukrainian lives are at risk this winter as the country's power grid struggles under a barrage of Russian attacks, the World health Organization warned on Monday.

Moscow has been targeting energy infrastructure, launching missile strikes that have left homes across the country without electricity as temperatures plunge.

Millions of Ukrainian lives are at risk this winter as the country's power grid struggles under a barrage of Russian attacks, the World health Organization warned on Monday.
Moscow has been targeting energy infrastructure, launching missile strikes that have left homes across the country without electricity as temperatures plunge.
The damage is having "knock-out effects" on Ukraine's health system, WHO regional director for Europe Hans Kluge told reporters.
"This winter will be about survival," he warned, saying it would be "life-threatening for millions of people in Ukraine".
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Up to three million Ukrainians could leave their homes in search of warmth and safety, he said.
"They will face unique health challenges, including respiratory infections such as Covid-19, pneumonia, influenza, and the serious risk of diphtheria and measles in (an) under-vaccinated population," he added.
Meanwhile Ukraine said it had discovered four Russian torture sites in the southern city of Kherson, which Moscow's forces pulled out of earlier this month leaving behind a trail of misery and destruction.
It was the only regional capital Moscow's forces had won after nearly nine months of fighting in Ukraine.
Kyiv accused withdrawing forces of rendering key infrastructure useless, including water and electricity stations.

Omicron's XBB subvariant may lead to another Covid wave: WHO

Chief scientist at the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr Soumya Swaminathan, on Thursday said some countries may see "another wave of infections" with the XBB subvariant of Omicron, a variant of COVID-19 virus.

Omicron's XBB sub-variant may lead to another Covid wave: WHO

Suggesting the measures that need to be taken, Dr Swaminathan said monitoring and tracking are the key steps.

Chief scientist at the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr Soumya Swaminathan, on Thursday said some countries may see "another wave of infections" with the XBB sub-variant of Omicron, a variant of COVID-19 virus.
Talking to reporters on the sidelines of the annual general meeting of the Developing Countries Vaccine Manufacturers Network (DCVMN) here, she clarified that as of now, there was no data from any country to suggest that these new variants are clinically more severe.
"There are over 300 sub-variants of Omicron. I think the one that is concerning right now is XBB, which is a recombinant virus. We had seen some recombinant viruses earlier. It is very immune-evasive, which means it can overcome the antibodies. So slightly that we may see another wave of infections in some countries because of XBB," she said.
Swaminathan said they are also tracking derivatives of BA.5 and BA.1, which are also more transmissible and immune-evasive.
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As the virus evolves, it is going to evolve more and more transmissible, she said.
"As of now, there is no data from any country to suggest these new subvariants are more clinically severe," she clarified.
Suggesting the measures that need to be taken, Dr Swaminathan said monitoring and tracking are the key steps.
"We need to continue to monitor and track. We have seen that testing has gone down across countries, the genomic surveillance has also gone down over the last few months. We need to maintain at least a strategic sampling of genomic surveillance so that we can keep tracking the variants as we have been doing and studying," she said.
According to her, the Director General of the WHO has said that COVID-19 continues to be a public health emergency of international concern.
She added that 8,000 to 9,000 deaths are being reported every week worldwide due to the infection.
"So we have not said that the pandemic is over, which means that all precautions and tools continued to be used. Good thing is that we have now many tools and the most important thing is vaccines," Dr Swaminathan said.
"As far as vaccine coverage is concerned, our goals are 100 per cent of people over the age of 60 and 100 per cent of health care and frontline workers. Then we have a goal of achieving 70 per cent of the country, but subgroups are more important because they are most likely to face morbidity and mortality," she said.
She said that a number of deaths from elderly groups were seen when Omicron spread as they were not fully vaccinated.
"The full vaccination schedule is actually three doses. The primary two doses plus booster in the next four to six months. But in many countries, including India, the uptake of the booster is low. So we really encourage people to take the third dose," she said.
She advised continuing to use masks for protection from infection.
"While vaccines are still protecting us from severe disease and hospitalization, the risk of long COVID conditions seems to increase with each infection. So it is not benign. We should not be too casual by saying that it is okay to get the infection.
"Many people just think that it is just like the flu or any other respiratory infection, but more and more data is coming out on how COVID is affecting all organ systems and not just the respiratory route. It also affects the cardiovascular system and the inflammatory environment. So we have seen the risk of diabetes doubling, we have seen the risk of heart attacks...and other neurocognitive problems," Dr Swaminathan added.

The WHO on October 13 had written to the DCGI seeking to know the progress with the investigation of the manufacturer of the four cough syrups -- the Sonipat-based Maiden Pharmaceuticals.

Cough syrup alert: India says information given by WHO inadequate

The committee set up by the government to examine reports potentially linking the death of 66 children in The Gambia to four made-in-India cough syrups has observed that the clinical information shared by the World Health Organization so far is inadequate

The WHO on October 13 had written to the DCGI seeking to know the progress with the investigation of the manufacturer of the four cough syrups -- the Sonipat-based Maiden Pharmaceuticals.

The committee set up by the government to examine reports potentially linking the death of 66 children in The Gambia to four made-in-India cough syrups has observed that the clinical information shared by the World Health Organization so far is inadequate to determine the cause of the disease
This was conveyed to the WHO by Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) V G Somani on Saturday.
Rutendo Kuwana from the WHO on October 13 had written to the DCGI seeking to know the progress with the investigation of the manufacturer of the four cough syrups -- the Sonipat-based Maiden Pharmaceuticals.
In an email response, Dr Somani on Saturday said the Union Ministry of Health has constituted a committee of technical experts to examine and analyse the details of the adverse event reports and all related details shared by or to be shared by WHO and to recommend follow up action.
Somani said the four-member committee chaired by Dr Y K Gupta, Vice Chairperson, Standing National Committee on Medicines, in its first meeting has examined the reports and communications so far received from WHO and has made several observations.
Mentioning the observations, Dr Somani said, "The clinical features and the treatment received by the children as shared by WHO so far are inadequate to determine the aetiology."
The details of initial illness, sign and symptoms, duration of anura in the cases, results of laboratory investigations conducted including various markers and parameters, specific investigations for diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol on critical samples of the patients, treatment received before and after hospitalization at the tertiary hospital in Gambia, treatment received before and after acute kidney injury was suspected and reasons thereof, names and brands of the drug formulations used in the treatment before and after hospitalization, their manufacturers, their expiry other relevant information in each of the cases, are necessary, he said.
Dr Somani further said in case, verbal autopsy was conducted, a detailed report may be shared by WHO.
Dr Somani has sought details on the number of stool samples collected and analysed and the number of children with a similar clinical presentation to acute kidney injury from whom the biological samples were collected.
He also sought the details of the product samples collected and tested (with their compositions, manufacturers) which were reported to be negative for EG and DEG, the details of cases who received these products.
Also Watch| <a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/explained-why-who-issued-alert-against-4-indian-cough-syrups-1665031324520">Explained: why WHO issued alert against 4 Indian cough syrups</a>
"You are therefore requested to share the report on causal relations along with above details, as observed by the said Technical Committee at the earliest for further examination and follow up action at our level," he wrote.
The DCGI further informed that the investigation of the manufacturer in question has progressed.
"The manufacturing site has been inspected, test reports of sampled products from the laboratory are awaited and all the manufacturing activities of the manufacturer in question have been stopped," he said.
The Union Health Ministry on Wednesday formed the four-member panel of experts to examine the details and adverse event reports received from the WHO on the deaths of 66 children in Gambia being linked potentially to the four cough syrups made by the Sonipat unit of Maiden Pharmaceuticals.
The committee will recommend further course of action to the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) after examining and analysing the adverse event reports, causal relationship and all related details already shared by or to be shared by the World Health Organization.
The causal relation of deaths is yet to be provided by WHO. The WHO has so far shared with CDSCO, the certificates of analysis of each of the sampled products, their photographs and summary of the adverse events.
WHO has stated that it is in process of further investigation, official sources said.
The CDSCO has already requested WHO to share at the earliest with it, the report on establishment of causal relation to death with the medical products in question and photographs of labels/products etc, they said.
While the Haryana State Drug Controller issued show cause notice to Maiden Pharmaceuticals on October 7 asking it to explain within a week "many contraventions" found during a recent inspection, or face suspension or cancellation of license, the Haryana government on October 11 issued an order to stop all the manufacturing activities of the firm with immediate effect.
The WHO had on September 29 had informed the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) that they were providing technical assistance and advice to Gambia, where children have died and where a contributing factor was suspected to be the use of four medicines: Promethazine Oral Solution BP, KOFEXNALIN Baby Cough Syrup, MaKOFF Baby Cough Syrup and MaGrip n Cold Syrup.
They are manufactured and exported by Maiden Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Sonepat, Haryana, and the WHO had informed they may have been contaminated with Diethylene glycol or Ethylene glycol.&nbsp;

 After WHO alert on its cough syrups, Haryana firm asked to halt production, faces licence cancellation

Haryana cough syrup firm shut after WHO alert; faces license cancellation

The order to halt production came days after WHO potentially linked four cough syrups manufactured at the facility to the deaths of 66 children in African nation of The Gambia.

The order to halt production came days after WHO potentially linked four cough syrups manufactured at the facility to the deaths of 66 children in African nation of The Gambia.

The Haryana government has ordered the halting of drug manufacturing at the Sonipat unit of Maiden Pharmaceuticals, asking it to explain within a week "many contraventions" found during a recent inspection, or face suspension or cancellation of licence.
The order to halt production came days after the World Health Organization (WHO) potentially linked four cough syrups manufactured at the facility to the deaths of 66 children in African nation of The Gambia.
"We have ordered that all drug production at this unit be stopped with immediate effect," Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij told PTI over phone on Wednesday.
After the WHO alert, samples of the four cough syrups manufactured by the firm was sent to the Central Drugs Laboratory in Kolkata on October 6 for examination.
Vij said a joint team of the state and the Centre inspected the unit during which it found 12 violations or deficiencies. "Taking cognisance of this, the state government has ordered to halt the drug production in this unit." He further said the report of the cough syrup samples are yet to arrive from the Central Drugs Laboratory in Kolkata. "Depending on what it says, we will take further action," he said.
According to a notice issued by the Haryana Drugs Controller following the inspection of the firm's plant, Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited did not perform quality testing of propylene glycol, the raw material used for making one of the formulations.
"The firm has not performed the quality testing of propylene glycol for diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol," said the notice.
The showcause notice issued on October 7 stated, "The inspection of your firm was conducted by a team comprising senior officials from CDSCO (Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation) and Haryana Drugs Controller Authority to conduct the necessary investigation for following drugs manufactured by you." "During inspection many contraventions were detected. You are hereby served with the show cause notice rule 85(2) of drug rules, 1945 as to why your manufacturing license may not be suspended or cancelled," it said.
The state authority had asked the firm to respond within seven days, failing which it said ex-parte -- done with respect to or in the interests of one side only or of an interested outside party -- action will be taken against the company as per the drugs act.
Among the 12 "violations" highlighted by the state drugs regulator was that the batch number of propylene glycol, sorbitol solution and sodium methyl paraben used in the making of the drugs in question were not mentioned in the certificate of analysis report.
The firm has not performed process validation and analytical method validation for the drug products in question, according to the authority.
Besides, the complete plant is found under renovation and the firm failed to produce the log books of equipment and instruments regarding manufacturing and testing for the drugs in question, the notice read.
The batch number, manufacturer name and manufacturing date and expiry date were not found maintained on the purchase invoices of excipients including propylene glycol.
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4 Indian cough syrups, Promethazine Oral Solution, Kofexmalin Baby Cough Syrup, Makoff Baby Cough Syrup and Magrip N Cold Syrup, are under investigation by the World Health Organisation after 66 children died in the Gambia. 
The cough medicines manufactured by Maiden Pharmaceuticals in India have been potentially linked to actue kidney injuries. 
According to the medical product alert issued by WHO, laboratory analysis of samples of the products "confirms that they contain unacceptable amounts of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol as contaminants."
The alert warned that those substances are toxic to humans and can be fatal, adding that the toxic effect "can include abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, inability to pass urine, headache, altered mental state and acute kidney injury which may lead to death."
According to the WHO, Maiden Pharma has not provided guarantees to them on the safety and quality of these products till date. 
The Gambia's health ministry asked hospitals on September 9 to stop using a syrup paracetamol, a month after investigators reported the death of at least 28 children aged five months to four years from acute renal failure.
The investigation had been opened on July 19. No details were given as to when the children died.
WHO said that information received from India's Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation indicated that the manufacturer had only supplied the contaminated medications to The Gambia.
However, the UN health agency warned of a global exposure as the medicines could have reached other countries through unregulated markets. 
WHO’s Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged caution, calling on all countries to work to "detect and remove these products from circulation to prevent further harm to patients."
(with AFP inputs)
 

Explained: why WHO issued alert against 4 Indian cough syrups

4 Indian cough syrups, Promethazine Oral Solution, Kofexmalin Baby Cough Syrup, Makoff Baby Cough Syrup and Magrip N Cold Syrup, are under investigation by the World Health Organisation after 66 children died in the Gambia. 

4 Indian cough syrups, Promethazine Oral Solution, Kofexmalin Baby Cough Syrup, Makoff Baby Cough Syrup and Magrip N Cold Syrup, are under investigation by the World Health Organisation after 66 children died in the Gambia.&nbsp;

4 Indian cough syrups, Promethazine Oral Solution, Kofexmalin Baby Cough Syrup, Makoff Baby Cough Syrup and Magrip N Cold Syrup, are under investigation by the World Health Organisation after 66 children died in the Gambia.&nbsp;
The cough medicines manufactured by Maiden Pharmaceuticals in India have been potentially linked to actue kidney injuries.&nbsp;
According to the medical product alert issued by <a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/indian-cough-syrup-under-scanner-after-66-children-die-in-gambia-who-1664988276911">World Health Organisation (WHO)</a>, laboratory analysis of samples of the products "confirms that they contain unacceptable amounts of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol as contaminants."
The alert warned that those substances are toxic to humans and can be fatal, adding that the toxic effect "can include abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, inability to pass urine, headache, altered mental state and acute kidney injury which may lead to death."
According to the WHO, Maiden Pharma has not provided guarantees to them on the safety and quality of these products till date.&nbsp;
The Gambia's health ministry asked hospitals on September 9 to stop using a syrup paracetamol, a month after investigators reported the death of at least 28 children aged five months to four years from acute renal failure.
The investigation had been opened on July 19. No details were given as to when the children died.
Also watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/indian-cough-syrup-under-scanner-after-66-children-die-in-gambia-who-1664988276911">Indian cough syrup under scanner after 66 children die in Gambia: WHO</a>
WHO said that information received from India's Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation indicated that the manufacturer had only supplied the contaminated medications to The Gambia.
However, the UN health agency warned of a global exposure as the medicines could have reached other countries through unregulated markets.&nbsp;
WHO&rsquo;s Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged caution, calling on all countries to work to "detect and remove these products from circulation to prevent further harm to patients."
(with AFP inputs)

Maiden Pharma : Maiden Pharmaceuticals, which is under the lens of regulators after the WHO issued an alert saying the firm's cough syrups could potentially be linked to the death of children in The Gambia, has its global presence mostly in Africa.

Maiden Pharma: Cough syrup maker has WHO's Good Manufacturing Practices certification

Maiden Pharmaceuticals has its global presence mostly in Africa, South America and South East Asia.

As per its website, it is a WHO-GMP &amp; ISO 9001-2015 certified pharmaceutical company. The firm had started operations on November 22, 1990.

Maiden Pharma : Maiden Pharmaceuticals, which is under the lens of regulators after the WHO issued an alert saying the firm's <a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/explained-why-who-issued-alert-against-4-indian-cough-syrups-1665031324520">cough syrups</a> could potentially be linked to the death of children in The Gambia, has its global presence mostly in Africa, South America and South East Asia.
As per its website, the company has its corporate office at Pitampura in the National Capital with two manufacturing units in Haryana -- one at Kundli and another at Panipat. It claims to be a WHO-GMP &amp; ISO 9001-2015 certified pharmaceutical company.
The company had started operations on November 22, 1990.
Maiden Pharmaceuticals' global presence has a strong concentration in Africa, including countries such as Algeria, Senegal, Nigeria, Cameroon, Kenya and Tanzania.
In South East Asia also it has presence in countries such as Laos, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia, among others.
The company's footprints in South America include Ecuador, Chile, Venezuela, Surinam and Paraguay, besides others. It is also present in Russia, Poland and Belarus.
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It manufactures a range of products such as capsules, injectables, syrups, ointments and tablets across various therapeutic areas. The company has an annual production capacity of 60 crore capsules, 1.8 crore injections, 3 lakh tubes of ointments, 22 lakh syrups and 120 crore tablets, according to its website.
Comments from the company regarding the <a href="https://www.editorji.com/india-news/no-supply-of-who-mentioned-cough-syrups-in-india-chemist-association-1665064754854">world health organization(WHO)</a> alert could not be obtained as e-mailed queries remained unanswered.

The All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists has issued a statement saying that there is no supply of Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited drugs in India adding that the company only exports its products. 
4 cough syrups manufactured by Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited have been flagged by World Health Organisation to potentially be linked to the deaths of 66 children in The Gambia. 
The cough syrups are Promethazine Oral Solution, Kofexmalin Baby Cough Syrup, Makoff Baby Cough Syrup and Magrip N Cold Syrup. 
The chemist association also said that even though no Maiden Pharma is in supply in India it will follow any guideline that is issued by Drugs Controller General of India. 

No supply of WHO-mentioned cough syrups in India: chemist association

The All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists has issued a statement saying that there is no supply of Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited drugs in India adding that the company only exports its products. 

4 cough syrups manufactured by Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited have been flagged by World Health Organisation to potentially be linked to the deaths of 66 children in The Gambia.&nbsp;

The All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists has issued a statement saying that there is no supply of Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited drugs in India adding that the company only exports its products.&nbsp;
4 cough syrups manufactured by Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited have been flagged by World Health Organisation to potentially be linked to the deaths of 66 children in The Gambia.&nbsp;
The cough syrups are Promethazine Oral Solution, Kofexmalin Baby Cough Syrup, Makoff Baby Cough Syrup and Magrip N Cold Syrup.&nbsp;
Also watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/explained-why-who-issued-alert-against-4-indian-cough-syrups-1665031324520">Explained: why WHO issued alert against 4 Indian cough syrups</a>
The chemist association also said that even though no Maiden Pharma is in supply in India it will follow any guideline that is issued by Drugs Controller General of India.&nbsp;

The row over an Indian cough syrup firm's possible involvement in the death of 66 Gamibian student due to alleged consumption of substandard syrups has caused stir in India.
Its primary reason is the alarm bells raised by World Health Organisation that warned that the four contaminated cough syrups- namely Promethazine Oral Solution, Kofexmalin Baby Cough Syrup, Makoff Baby Cough Syrup and Magrip N Cold Syrup, were allegedly produced by Haryana-based Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited.
Secondly, it also raises questions over the consumption of cough syrup by children, especially those below 2 years.
The 66 Gamibian children who reportedly died following acute kidney failure aged between 5 months to 4 years.
SO, ARE COUGH SYRUPS SAFE FOR CHILDREN?
The scientific use of cough syrup generally does not recommend its use for children below 2 years. In fact, the most common cough syrups have the disclaimer that they are not meant for kids under 2 years.
Experts suggest that cough syrups, especially Over-The-Counter (OTC) ones should not be consumed by the under 2 category kids as it can have serious implications including hospitalisations.
An Indian Express reported quoting a private Paediatrician stated that the cough syrups can have mild to serious side effects. Among the most common symptoms are sleepiness, restlessness, electrolyte imbalance.
WHAT ABOUT CHILDREN ABOVE 2 AND ADULTS?
For children above 2 years and in fact, adults, the use of cough syrups has been prescribed for bare-minimum use.
Contrary to under 2 kids, older children or those above 2 years are recommended to use cough syrups judiciously. Experts point that the syrups are relatively safer if given in correct doses. The 'safe to consume' quotient is determined by formulation of a cough syrup.
While for adults,  OTC cough syrup consumption is likely to result in side-effects. Given the presence of anti-histamines,  an anti-allergy drug, the syrups tend to be addictive. This can cause dizziness or sleepiness among those above 18 years,.

WHO alarm on cough syrups: are they good or bad for children

The 66 Gambian children who reportedly died following acute kidney failure aged between 5 months to 4 years.

WHO alarm on cough syrups: are they good or bad for children?

The 66 Gambian children who reportedly died following acute kidney failure aged between 5 months to 4 years.

The row over an Indian cough syrup firm's possible involvement in the death of 66 Gamibian student due to alleged consumption of substandard syrups has caused stir in India.
Its primary reason is the alarm bells raised by World Health Organisation that warned that the four contaminated cough syrups- namely Promethazine Oral Solution, Kofexmalin Baby Cough Syrup, Makoff Baby Cough Syrup and Magrip N Cold Syrup, were allegedly produced by Haryana-based Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited.
Secondly, it also raises questions over the consumption of cough syrup by children, especially those below 2 years.
The 66 Gamibian children who reportedly died following acute kidney failure aged between 5 months to 4 years.
<h3>SO, ARE COUGH SYRUPS SAFE FOR CHILDREN?</h3>
The scientific use of cough syrup generally does not recommend its use for children below 2 years. In fact, the most common cough syrups have the disclaimer that they are not meant for kids under 4 years.
Experts suggest that cough syrups, especially Over-The-Counter (OTC) ones should not be consumed by the under 2 category kids as it can have serious implications including hospitalisations.
An Indian Express reported quoting a private Paediatrician stated that the cough syrups can have mild to serious side effects. Among the most common symptoms are sleepiness, restlessness, electrolyte imbalance.
<h3>WHAT ABOUT CHILDREN ABOVE 2 AND ADULTS?</h3>
For children above 2 years and in fact, adults, the use of cough syrups has been prescribed for bare-minimum use.
Contrary to under 2 kids, older children or those above 2 years are recommended to use cough syrups judiciously. Experts point that the syrups are relatively safer if given in correct doses. The 'safe to consume' quotient is determined by formulation of a cough syrup.
While for adults, &nbsp;OTC cough syrup consumption is likely to result in side-effects. Given the presence of anti-histamines, &nbsp;an anti-allergy drug, the syrups tend to be addictive. This can cause dizziness or sleepiness among those above 18 years.
Also watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/india-news/medicine-board-launches-probe-after-who-alert-on-cough-syrups-1665041749450">Medicine board launches probe after WHO alert on cough syrups</a>

 In the wake of the WHO cautioning that cough syrups manufactured by an Indian company could potentially be linked to the deaths of at least 66 children in The Gambia, official sources said the global health body is yet to provide the exact "one to one causal relation of deaths".
The World Health Organisation on Wednesday warned that four "contaminated" and "substandard" cough syrups, allegedly produced by Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited based in Haryana's Sonepat could be the reason for the deaths in the West African nation.
The United Nations health agency, however, has not yet shared details of labels and products with the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), which would enable it to confirm the identity and source of manufacturing of the products, official sources said.
Based on available information, the CDSCO has already taken up an urgent investigation into the matter with the regulatory authorities in Haryana, they said.
"While all required steps will be taken, as a robust regulatory authority, WHO has been requested to share with CDSCO at the earliest the report on the establishment of a causal relation to the deaths with the medical products in question, photographs of labels/products etc," an official source said.
According to the sources, the WHO had on September 29 informed the Drugs Controller General of India that it was providing technical assistance and advice to The Gambia.
It had highlighted that a significant contributing factor to the deaths was suspected to be the use of medicines which may have been contaminated with Diethylene Glycol/Ethylene Glycol, and said its presence had been confirmed in some of the samples it tested.
The CDSCO said it responded to the WHO within an hour-and-a-half after receiving intimation, by taking up the matter with the state regulatory authority.
Further, a detailed investigation was launched to ascertain the facts and details into the matter in collaboration with Haryana State Drugs Controller, the source explained.
"From the preliminary inquiry, it has been made out that Maiden Pharmaceutical Limited, Sonepat, Haryana, is the manufacturer licensed by the state drug controller for the products under reference, and holds manufacturing permission for these products.
"The company has manufactured and exported these products only to The Gambia so far," the source said.
It is a practice that the importing country tests the products for quality before sanctioning their usage there.
According to the tentative results received by the WHO, four out of the 23 samples tested have been found to contain either Diethylene Glycol/Ethylene Glycol.
WHO has also informed India that it will share the certificate of analysis soon.
"At the same time, the exact one to one causal relation of the deaths has not yet been provided by the WHO, nor have the details of labels or products been shared with CDSCO, which would enable it to confirm the identity and source of the manufacturing of the products," the source added.

Medicine board launches probe after WHO alert on cough syrups

The World Health Organisation on Wednesday warned that four "contaminated" and "substandard" cough syrups, allegedly produced by Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited based in Haryana's Sonepat could be the reason for the deaths in the West African nation.

The World Health Organisation on Wednesday warned that four "contaminated" and "substandard" cough syrups, allegedly produced by Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited based in Haryana's Sonepat could be the reason for the deaths in the West African nation.

&nbsp;In the wake of the WHO cautioning that cough syrups manufactured by an Indian company could potentially be linked to the deaths of at least 66 children in The Gambia, official sources said the global health body is yet to provide the exact "one to one causal relation of deaths".
The World Health Organisation on Wednesday warned that four "contaminated" and "substandard" cough syrups, allegedly produced by Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited based in Haryana's Sonepat could be the reason for the deaths in the West African nation.
The United Nations health agency, however, has not yet shared details of labels and products with the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), which would enable it to confirm the identity and source of manufacturing of the products, official sources said.
Based on available information, the CDSCO has already taken up an urgent investigation into the matter with the regulatory authorities in Haryana, they said.
"While all required steps will be taken, as a robust regulatory authority, WHO has been requested to share with CDSCO at the earliest the report on the establishment of a causal relation to the deaths with the medical products in question, photographs of labels/products etc," an official source said.
According to the sources, the WHO had on September 29 informed the Drugs Controller General of India that it was providing technical assistance and advice to The Gambia.
It had highlighted that a significant contributing factor to the deaths was suspected to be the use of medicines which may have been contaminated with Diethylene Glycol/Ethylene Glycol, and said its presence had been confirmed in some of the samples it tested.
The CDSCO said it responded to the WHO within an hour-and-a-half after receiving intimation, by taking up the matter with the state regulatory authority.
Further, a detailed investigation was launched to ascertain the facts and details into the matter in collaboration with Haryana State Drugs Controller, the source explained.
"From the preliminary inquiry, it has been made out that Maiden Pharmaceutical Limited, Sonepat, Haryana, is the manufacturer licensed by the state drug controller for the products under reference, and holds manufacturing permission for these products.
"The company has manufactured and exported these products only to The Gambia so far," the source said.
It is a practice that the importing country tests the products for quality before sanctioning their usage there.
According to the tentative results received by the WHO, four out of the 23 samples tested have been found to contain either Diethylene Glycol/Ethylene Glycol.
WHO has also informed India that it will share the certificate of analysis soon.
"At the same time, the exact one to one causal relation of the deaths has not yet been provided by the WHO, nor have the details of labels or products been shared with CDSCO, which would enable it to confirm the identity and source of the manufacturing of the products," the source added.
Also watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/explained-why-who-issued-alert-against-4-indian-cough-syrups-1665031324520">Explained: why WHO issued alert against 4 Indian cough syrups</a>

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