Maldives has uncovered contamination in syrups and suspension medicines manufactured by Lahore-based pharmaceutical company Pharmix Laboratories (Pvt) Ltd, according to a report by Dawn. The substances detected are commonly used in hydraulic brake fluids, stamp pad inks, paints, plastics, and cosmetics.
The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a global alert following the report, urging countries to heighten vigilance and test products from Pharmix. The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) responded swiftly by sealing the syrup section of the company, with the possibility of legal action pending lab test results.
The WHO’s alert focused on five products—Alergo Syrup, Emidone Suspension, Mucorid Syrup, Ulcofin Suspension, and Zincell Syrup—manufactured by Pharmix. A total of 23 batches of these products are affected, with contaminated batches detected not only in Maldives and Pakistan but also in Belize, Fiji, and Laos.
The contamination was initially identified in November 2023 when samples of Alergo syrup revealed potentially unacceptable levels of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol. These substances, found in antifreeze, are used in various industrial applications, raising serious concerns about the safety of the pharmaceutical products.
Drap CEO Asim Rauf clarified that the Lahore-based company had produced the implicated batches in 2021, predating the issuance of protocols. He assured that all syrups from the company had been recalled, the syrup section sealed, and additional samples sent for further testing.
The situation underscores the importance of global cooperation in ensuring the safety and quality of pharmaceutical products, with health authorities worldwide now on high alert to prevent potential health risks associated with contaminated syrups.
