Indonesian court hears class-action suit after children die as result of contaminated cough syrup

• Families of Indonesian children who died demand compensation.
• Indonesian court heard the suit on Tuesday.
• The two chemicals are used as a less expensive substitute in many cough syrups.

As a class-action case against governmental organisations and pharmaceutical companies began to be heard in an Indonesian court on Tuesday, the families of Indonesian children who died as a result of contaminated cough syrup demanded compensation.

Authorities in Indonesia have reported that two chemicals, ethylene glycol and diethyelene glycol, included in various syrup-based paracetamol treatments, are linked to almost 200 paediatric acute kidney damage deaths since last year.

The two chemicals are also used as a less expensive substitute for glycerine, a solvent or thickening agent in many cough syrups, in some medicinal goods. They are utilised in antifreeze, brake fluids, and other industrial applications. They have the potential to be poisonous and cause acute renal damage.

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The health and finance ministries, the medicines regulator, and at least eight pharmaceutical corporations are being sued by 25 families. The families’ attorney, Awan Puryadi, told the media that each sought damages of up to 3.4 billion rupiah ($224,570.67).

After ingesting a syrup medication, Solihah, 36, who was present before the court in Jakarta, Indonesia, said that her 3-year-old daughter was diagnosed with an acute renal injury and eventually passed away. She stated that she wants the government to face consequences.

“If my daughter had not consumed the drug, maybe she would still be here,” she said, her voice breaking with emotion. “I hope all parties involved are held responsible for the conditions of the children who died and are still sick.”

Requests for feedback from representatives of the five pharmaceutical corporations and the finance ministry went unanswered. Three further businesses could not be reached.

While the health ministry declined to comment, the nation’s drug regulator, BPOM, said it would respect the existing legal procedure.

A number of cough syrups have been outlawed, and authorities have launched legal actions against several pharmaceutical businesses whose goods reportedly contained the risky substances.

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