Over 150 Children Die from Acute Kidney Disease... WHO Issues Warning on 8 Indonesian Cold Syrups

Ethylene Glycol and Diethylene Glycol Detected Above Permissible Levels
Substances Used in Electronic Products' Antifreeze and Brake Oil
Causes Abdominal Pain, Vomiting... May Lead to Acute Kidney Disease and Death

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that eight types of syrup medicines from Indonesia contain harmful ingredients that can cause death. Photo by EPA Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] This year, more than 150 children in Indonesia died from acute kidney disease after taking cold syrup medicine, prompting the World Health Organization (WHO) to issue a warning about eight types of syrup medicines produced in Indonesia.

On the 2nd (local time), WHO released a statement announcing a medical product warning for eight medicines produced in Indonesia, stating that they contain harmful substances that can lead to death if ingested.

According to the Indonesian Ministry of Health, 245 children with acute kidney disease have been identified in 26 provinces this year, with more than 150 of them having died. The affected children reportedly developed acute kidney disease after taking syrup-form medicines.

WHO explained that ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol were detected above permissible levels in the eight medicines. The products specified by WHO are ▲Termorex Syrup ▲Flurin DMP Syrup ▲Unibebi Cough Syrup ▲Unibebi Fever Paracetamol Oral Solution ▲Unibebi Fever Paracetamol Syrup ▲Paracetamol Oral Solution ▲Paracetamol Syrup (Mint Flavor) ▲Bifcol Syrup, totaling eight products.

These two raw materials are mainly used industrially as antifreeze in electronics such as air conditioners, refrigerators, and freezers, or as brake oil, and are known to have been used as substitutes for glycerin, a solvent in cough syrups, in some countries due to their low cost.

However, both raw materials are toxic and should not be used in medicines. WHO explained that these substances can cause abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, urinary disorders, headaches, and can induce acute kidney damage leading to death when ingested.

WHO stated, "It is necessary to exclude these medicines from the supply chain to prevent further distribution and to strengthen monitoring," and added, "Health authorities of each country are requested to immediately notify WHO if such products are found."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.