We remind you of the serious issue of contaminated cough syrups, about which the WHO raised the alarm after a string of tragic incidents early last year. Contaminated cough syrups killed over 300 people in Gambia, Indonesia and Uzbekistan, most of whom were children under the age of five. The contaminations can be the result of falsification of CoAs and insufficient QC testing. For more info, see here.

Each of the cases relates to the use of medicinal syrups that were manufactured using non-pharmaceutical grade excipients such as propylene glycol, glycerine, sorbitol or polyethylene glycol, all of which were contaminated with ethylene glycol (EG) and/or diethylene glycol (DEG). These chemicals are for use in industrial applications only, such as industrial solvents, coolants and antifreeze agents. 

WHO urgently called upon chemical manufacturers and distributors to do more to prevent, detect and respond quickly to contaminated medicines. Chemical distributors are specifically implored to always:

•  distribute ingredients suitable for use in pharmaceutical products/pharmaceutical grade excipient (authorized by, and from sources approved by, competent authorities)
• test glycerine for traces of residual EG and DEG, see here for a testing method
• enable full traceability of the supply chain back to the original excipient manufacturer.

ICTA has cooperated with Oxford University to develop better detection methods. We continue to discuss the issue and share best practices in our SSHE committee.

The UK is consulting on proposals to introduce an Alternative Transitional Registrational model for UK REACH. The model aims to reduce the estimated £2 billion costs the UK chemical industry might have faced under the transition from EU REACH to UK REACH. The consultation also contains proposals to change the current UK REACH regime inherited from the EU. The policy proposals are intended to increase regulatory efficiency and further support the principal of animal testing as a last resort. For more information see here. The deadline for receiving comments is 11 July 2024. During the next ICTA Transport & Security meeting, CBA will give a presentation about the proposed changes and their expected effects for business. 

International negotiations about a global plastics treaty are in full swing. More than 2,500 delegates participated in the latest negotiation round in Ottowa, with representatives present from 170 countries and 480 observer organizations including UN entities, NGOs and industry. Participants are developing an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution. If agreed, the treaty would be one of the most significant environmental decisions since the Paris Agreement and the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity. Topics include emissions, production, product design, waste management, problematic and avoidable plastics and financing. The ICTA SSHE committee has been monitoring the developments and has developed a position paper to inform the negotiations. The next session will take place in Busan, South Korea in November.

International negotiations about a global plastics treaty are in full swing. More than 2,500 delegates participated in the latest negotiation round in Ottowa, with representatives present from 170 countries and 480 observer organizations including UN entities, NGOs and industry. Participants are developing an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution. If agreed, the treaty would be one of the most significant environmental decisions since the Paris Agreement and the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity. Topics include emissions, production, product design, waste management, problematic and avoidable plastics and financing. The ICTA SSHE committee has been monitoring the developments and has developed a position paper to inform the negotiations. The next session will take place in Busan, South Korea in November.