Since the discovery made by Taiwan Dept of Health about unusual lab results, the healthcare idustry soon realized that it turned out to be yet another scandal impacting the food and drug safety with wide ranging public health concerns and anxiety. Following the discovery, hospitals in Taiwan found unauthorized presence and high levels of plasticizer DIDP (Diisodecyl phthalate) in Augmentin pediatric antibiotic made by GSK. That prompted the authority to recall the affected product.

The director general of the Taiwan FDA told the press that although DIDP levels were limited and could be translated to about 2mcg in each dose, an exposure which is unlikely to harm human health, his agency has requested clarification from GSK to prove that it has not wittingly or maliciously adulterated its antibiotic with the banned substance.

Almost concurrently, health officials in Hong Kong ordered GSK to recall supplies that were made in France after similar lab findings was made in the Chinese territory. The official statement is posted in the Dept of Health portal here.

Back in Singapore, both implicated products in Taiwan -  Augmentin oral suspension (457mg/5ml) and Augmentin oral suspension (156mg/5ml), both strawberry flavoured - are not available in Singapore. Only Augmentin oral suspension 228mg/5ml (mixed fruit flavoured) is available locally which was sent promptly for testing. Based on the latest test results, unauthorized plasticizers were not detected in this locally available product and it is safe for consumption. See HSA statements here and here.

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