Indonesia to probe child deaths linked to Indian cough syrup

Indonesia will investigate cases of acute kidney injury which has caused the deaths of more than 20 children in its capital Jakarta this year, health authorities said on Wednesday.

The probe comes as authorities in Gambia said nearly 70 children died from acute kidney injury after taking a locally-sold paracetamol syrup used to treat fever.

Indonesia will coordinate with investigators from the World Health Organisation (WHO) that have found "unacceptable" levels of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol, which can be toxic, in four products made by New Delhi-based Maiden Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

Indonesia's drug regulator (BPOM) said in a statement the syrups were not registered in the country.

The Jakarta health agency said there have been a total of 31 cases reported in the city since January, of which 68 per cent have been fatal.

The health ministry said it is talking to experts from the WHO that are investigating the case in Gambia and it has formed a team with the country's paediatric association (IDAI) and a Jakarta-based hospital to look into the matter.

The health ministry added about 40 cases had been reported, but, according to Indonesian newspaper Kompas, the IDAI put it as high as 131 nationwide. It was unclear why there was a discrepancy in data.

IDAI was also quoted as saying the cases in Gambia are unrelated to those in Indonesia.

The health ministry said early findings point to potential intoxication as a cause of the illness, but no definitive cause has been found yet. The ministry said further research was needed.

Indian authorities said on Wednesday they found 12 violations of good practices at a factory of Maiden and halted production of cough syrups at the plant.