WHO stands by action of issuing alert against Maiden Pharma cough syrup

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"

As the issue of contaminated cough syrups linked by the WHO to children deaths in Gambia escalates with the Indian regulator clearing the cough syrup samples after testing, the global agency says it stands by the action it took--that of issuing an alert.

Responding to queries sent by Business Standard, WHO spokesperson said: "When many children die of mysterious sickness, it’s a tragedy (and) that means WHO had to act quickly." Justifying its quick action, the WHO further added that "WHO-contracted laboratories in Ghana and Switzerland tested the suspected cough syrups products from The Gambia and confirmed excess levels of ethyleneglycol