Cough mixture warning gives cause for concern

The pharmaceutical industry world-wide has been warned to check that a common ingredient used in over-the-counter medicines is not contaminated with poisonous anti-freeze. The US FDA (Food & Drug Administration) issued a warning on May 4 2007 that supplies of glycerin, a commonly used sweetener, should be tested to ensure that diethylene glycol (DEG) is not present.

There is no reason to suppose that any supplies in the UK are contaminated. However, the warning comes after recent cases in other countries have resulted in human fatalities. In Panama in September 2006, there were more than 40 deaths and dozens of hospitalisations for serious injury due to the contamination of cough syrup. Between 1990 and 1998, similar incidents of DEG poisoning reportedly occurred in Argentina, Bangladesh, India, and Nigeria and resulted in hundreds of deaths.

Therefore, the FDA has re-emphasised the importance of testing glycerin for DEG.

"RSSL routinely provides this test to a wide range of pharmaceutical clients and can help companies meet the demands of the FDA by carrying out identity tests and limit tests for DEG," says Peter Rooney of RSSL Pharma, one of the UK's leading contract laboratories. "The test is straightforward and RSSL can offer a rapid turn around for anyone with urgent concerns about their supplies."