WHO On Indian Drugs

Observed on June 26, the day raises global awareness about drug abuse and illicit trafficking. The 2025 theme, "Break the Cycle. #StopOrganisedCrime," calls for long-term action and reform

Deaths due to toxic cough syrups first made headlines in October when the WHO issued a global alert for four such medicines manufactured in India

As a 'healthier' substitute for sugar, aspartame is widely used in India by manufacturers of soft drinks, breakfast cereals, ice cream, and juices

The WHO director-general issued a call to action in January to implore all member states to increase their surveillance and testing efforts because people are 'needlessly being put at risk'

During a review meeting on the Covid-19 situation, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya virtually interacted with the health ministers of the states and union territories

Asserts that testing done in labs in Ghana and Switzerland confirmed excess levels of contaminated syrups that are "dangerous and should not be in any medicine, ever"

Substandard and falsified medicines particularly affect the most vulnerable communities: WHO Director-General