The World Health Organization (WHO) is calling for urgent action by regulators and governments after more than 300 children have died in three countries — Gambia, Indonesia, and Uzbekistan — from cough syrup contaminated with high levels of diethylene glycol (DEG) and ethylene glycol (EG), toxic chemicals used as industrial solvents and antifreeze agents.

The WHO is asking regulators to remove the tainted products from shelves and increase market surveillance including risk-based targeted testing.

The health agency is also asking manufacturers to only purchase pharmaceutical grade excipients from qualified and bona fide suppliers and for suppliers to always check for signs of falsification of medicines they distribute or sell.