As part of an initiative to fight childhood deaths caused by diarrhea, drug maker Mylan has said it would develop and expand access to ORS (oral rehydration solution) and zinc for children across India.
Mylan Laboratories Ltd, the Indian subsidiary of Mylan Inc, said that this would be part of a partnership with the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goals Health Alliance (MDGHA) and the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) towards the same goal.
India is reported to have the highest number of childhood fatalities per year caused by diarrhea, a Mylan note said, citing a United Nations study.
These unnecessary deaths are largely because of lack of access to treatments like ORS and zinc.
A recent World Health Organization report estimates that diarrhea is the second leading cause of death globally among children under five, the note added.
The situation is “avoidable” if children get the treatment they needed, said Mr Anirudh Deshpande, Mylan’s Senior Vice-President for Business Development.