Trial begins in death of 200 children from cough syrups

Jakarta, Jan 17 (EFE).- A trial against the Indonesian government and several pharmaceutical firms began Tuesday at a Jakarta court in connection to the death of at least 200 minors due to the alleged consumption of tainted cough syrups.

Solilah, 36, said she lost her daughter due to poisoning which led to acute renal failure last year, and had it not been for the medicine, her three-year-old would be still alive.

Solilah represents one of the 25 families that filed a class action lawsuit against the Indonesian government and several drug manufacturers following the death of 200 children due to kidney failure in 2022.

This case is related to the presence of toxic elements in several medicines, reported by Indonesian authorities, who completely prohibited the sale of cough syrups in the country in October.

The plaintiffs submitted charges against the Ministry of Health, the National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM) and seven Indonesian pharmaceutical and chemical companies, demanding a compensation of about $128,000 for every death and around $64,000 for every sick child.

Siti Habana, one of the lawyers for the families, said during the trial that apart from compensation, they also hoped that the lawsuit would help improve the system.

Out of a total of 324 cases of kidney failure, at least 200 minors passed away in 2022, according to the latest data from Indonesia’s health ministry released in November. EFE

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