An article in the New York Times today discusses how forty-six barrels of a toxic chemical known to be poisonous to humans found their way into childrens cough syrup in Panama.
Rather than pretend we can explain this better than the NYT, you should go read the full article yourself. But here is the gist of it:
Glycerin, commonly used in syrupy drugs, toothpaste and other products, is relatively expensive.
Diethylene glycol, a deadly solvent and one of the main ingredients to antifreeze, is relatively cheap.
Chinese counterfeit drug manufacturers wanted to save some money and exported the poison to Panama, passing it off as glycerin.
The diethylene glycol found its way into 260,000 bottles of childrens cold medicine, and 365 deaths have been reported SO FAR.
These are innocent children dying, and parents grieving, wrestling with the knowledge that they fed their own child poison.
All so a company in china could cut corners to make a buck.
So for anyone out there who thinks that our dogs and cats are the only family members put in harms way because of our one-way, open trade policy with China – let this be an eye opener.
Maybe “the war on terrorism” isn’t our biggest threat today… ?
What is the brand name of the cough syrup that is killing children? I want more information.
Panamanian health officials said diethylene glycol had been found in two brands of toothpaste, labeled in English as Excel and Mr. Cool.
US Recall News
I need to know the brand name as well my children are starting to get a cold and even though I have given them their vitamins they may need something more and now I am terrified to buy any children’s cold medicine.