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GPHF-Minilab test protocol on diethylene and ethylene glycol (DEG/EG) developed
Dear Sir or Madam,
the Global Pharma Health Fund (GPHF), a non-profit organization voluntarily supported by Merck KGaA, is pleased to draw your attention to its new Minilab analytical method on diethylene and ethylene glycol (DEG/EG) detection in liquids for oral use e.g. cough syrups to protect patients, in particular children, from preventable harm.
Since October 2022, the WHO has issued several alerts about over-the-counter syrups contaminated with the toxic industrial chemicals diethylene glycol (DEG) and ethylene glycol (EG), which have been linked to at least 300 deaths in children worldwide. Gas chromatography is the standard method for detecting these substances, but many laboratories with limited resources do not have access to it. To address this issue, the GPHF has adopted the WHO’s two-level testing approach, which begins with thin-layer chromatography (TLC) for initial screening and is followed by confirmation using gas chromatography in regional laboratories. This cost-effective method is readily available when using the GPHF’s Minilab test kit and helps countries quickly identify and respond to contaminated medicines.
The GPHF-Minilab is a stand-alone mini-laboratory that can be used to easily detect substandard, falsified and adulterated medicines. The Minilab is particularly suitable for regions of the world where falsification and contamination of medicines is widespread but sophisticated instrumental analysis is not readily available to detect it. It increases testing capacity at low cost and is often used as a supplement to existing fully-fledged laboratories.
The new Minilab test protocol on the detection of diethylene glycol (DEG) and ethylene glycol (EG) in cough syrups is available for free download in English, French and Spanish here. The method is awaiting inclusion in The International Pharmacopoeia.
In addition, we are currently testing new software to read TLC plates and quantifying the results. Minilab users are invited to send photos of TLC plates to the GPHF (see email below) and will then receive a corresponding evaluation. Early submissions will be given priority.
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Kind regards, Richard Jähnke, PhD |
Global Pharma Health Fund, Project Office, Frankfurt, Germany
T +49-69-46939-662, F +49-69-46939-852, M +49-171-161-4577
richard.jaehnke@gphf.org, www.facebook.com/minilab, www.x.com/gphf, www.gphf.org
The GPHF is a charitable organisation voluntarily and exclusively supported by Merck KGaA, Germany
Save the date: Launch of the WHO training toolkit on substandard and falsified (SF) medical products.
When: Tuesday 02 September 2025 at 13:30h to 14:30h CET (Brussels, Geneva, Kigali, Johannesburg)
Where: Zoom webinar
How: register with link: https://who.zoom.us/meeting/register/ihClcVz8QpWe5M0KOxZmLA
Note: The webinar will be only in English language.