The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning over Indian cough syrup Guaifenesin TG after the tested samples were found contaminated.

According to WHO, the cough syrup, made by Punjab-based QP Pharmachem Ltd, had “unacceptable amounts of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol” which are toxic to humans and could be fatal if consumed.

The contaminants found in Guaifenesin cough syrup, used to relieve chest congestion and cough symptoms, are the same ones found in syrups allegedly linked to the deaths of 70 children in the Gambia and 18 children in Uzbekistan.

In recent months, many Indian firms have come under scrutiny for the quality of their drugs, raising concerns about the manufacturing practices of such pharmaceutical companies.

India is the world’s largest exporter of generic drugs, meeting much of the medicine needs of developing countries.