An Indonesian court has mandated that two local companies pay up to 60 million rupiah ($3,850) to each family whose children suffered from acute kidney injuries or died after consuming toxic cough syrup. The ruling follows the deaths of over 200 children and serious injuries to about 120 more, some of whom face lifelong disabilities.
The court’s decision, issued late Thursday, found Afi Farma and CV Samudera Chemical responsible for the poisonings, while clearing the health ministry and the food and drug agency (BPOM) of any wrongdoing. Families had originally sought 3.4 billion rupiah for each child who died and 2.2 billion rupiah for survivors. However, the court awarded 50 million rupiah for deceased children and 60 million rupiah for injured children.
The ruling has drawn criticism from the affected families and their lawyer, Siti Habiba, who expressed disappointment at the lower-than-expected compensation and the court’s decision to not hold the health ministry and BPOM accountable for their oversight failures.
The case involved syrups containing dangerously high levels of ethylene glycol (EG), a chemical typically used in products like brake fluid and antifreeze. The syrups had EG concentrations up to 99%, far exceeding the safe limit of 0.1%.
Afi Farma, which was previously found guilty of negligence by a criminal court, has denied any wrongdoing. CV Samudera Chemical, which provided the toxic ingredient, has not yet responded to requests for comment.
