The Chief Executive Officer and three other officials of Afi Farma, an Indonesian pharmaceutical company, have been sentenced to two years in prison and fined 1 billion Indonesian rupiah ($63,029) each after their cough syrup was linked to the deaths of over 200 children.
The company was accused of producing cough syrups with excessive amounts of toxic substances.
The company’s lawyer, Samsul Hidayat, defended the firm, denying negligence and considering whether to appeal the accusations.
The prosecution had sought prison sentences of up to seven to nine years for Afi Farma’s CEO, Arief Prasetya Harahap, and seven years for the other defendants.
The Public Prosecutor revealed that between October 2021 and February 2022, Afi Farma received two batches of propylene glycol, a substance used in cough syrup production.
These batches contained 96% to 99% ethylene glycol, a toxic substance used in non-medicinal products like paint, pens, and brake fluid.
While propylene glycol is non-toxic and commonly used in medicines, cosmetics, and food, ethylene glycol can be harmful.
Afi Farma did not conduct ingredient testing for its cough syrup but instead relied on quality and safety certificates from its supplier, according to prosecutors.
The company’s lawyer, Samsul Hidayat, revealed that Indonesia’s drug regulator did not require extensive testing of ingredients by drug manufacturers.
The judge at the Kediri District Court in East Java found the four defendants guilty of intentionally producing pharmaceutical products that did not meet safety standards.
