Last week, the global health community faced a serious wake-up call. The World Health Organization (WHO) issued an urgent medical product alert after detecting dangerously high levels of diethylene glycol (DEG) a toxic, potentially fatal chemical in three different cough syrup brands manufactured in India.

These products, widely used for children, were linked to cases of acute kidney injury and multiple child deaths. While Indian authorities immediately halted production, the WHO emphasized an important point: even if these products were not officially exported, the possibility of circulation through illicit or unregulated channels cannot be completely ruled out.

This incident is not simply a manufacturing error. It highlights a much bigger issue: global vulnerabilities in the pharmaceutical supply chain and the importance of strong regulatory systems especially in countries attracting large numbers of international patients.

Why Drug Safety Matters More Than Ever

When people consider traveling abroad for a medical procedure, their primary concerns typically revolve around the doctor’s experience, the technology used, or the hospital facilities.

However, one of the most critical elements of any treatment process is often overlooked:
the safety and origin of the medications used before, during, and after the procedure.

For an international patient, questions such as these are incredibly important:

• Are the medications safe and officially approved?
• Are they subject to strict quality controls?
• Which country produced them, and under what conditions?
• How are they stored, dispensed, and monitored at the hospital?

The incident in India shows how devastating the consequences can be when the pharmaceutical chain fails at any point. For countries with weaker regulations or inconsistent quality oversight, the risk increases significantly.

Türkiye: One of the Safest Destinations for Health Tourism

Türkiye has become a global leader in medical tourism not just because of its world-class surgeons or modern hospitals, but because of its strict medical regulations and strong pharmaceutical supervision system.

In Türkiye:

• All medications used in hospitals must be approved by the Turkish Medicines and Medical Devices Agency (TİTCK).
• Drug production facilities undergo regular inspections.
• Every prescription medication is tracked through a national barcode system.
• Hospital pharmacies work closely with quality departments to ensure compliance.
• Random drug inspections and annual audits by the Ministry of Health maintain transparency.

This comprehensive structure positions Türkiye as one of the safest and most reliable destinations for international patients.

How Sante Privee Ensures Full Medication Safety

Sante Privee is not a clinic, we are a health tourism agency that works exclusively with accredited, highly regulated hospitals in Türkiye. This means every step of your treatment journey is supported by institutions that meet international standards.

1. We Collaborate Only With Accredited Hospitals

Our partner hospitals hold:

• Ministry of Health authorization
• JCI or ISO quality certifications
• Active internal quality management systems
• Regular external audits and strict compliance procedures

2. All Medications Are Ministry-Approved

Every drug administered to our patients is:

• Legally imported or locally produced under supervision
• Registered in the national drug database
• Approved by TİTCK
• Absolutely free from unregulated or counterfeit supply chains

3. Pharmacy and Quality Departments Monitor Every Step

In all partner hospitals:

• Clinical pharmacists review every medication before it reaches the patient
• Quality teams perform continuous checks throughout the year
• Storage, dosage, and distribution are strictly monitored
• Hospitals undergo frequent unannounced inspections

This integrated system ensures that patients receiving treatment through Sante Privee are protected by one of the strongest pharmaceutical safety frameworks in the region.

What the India Incident Teaches the Health Tourism Sector

The recent cough syrup scandal is a global reminder of several key truths:

1. Pharmaceutical supply chains can carry hidden risks

Even when a medication isn’t officially exported, illegal distribution channels can create unpredictable dangers worldwide.

2. Patient safety defines the future of medical tourism

International patients increasingly evaluate not just the surgeon or the hospital, but also regulatory standards, drug safety protocols, and overall reliability of the destination country.

3. Türkiye’s strict oversight is a major competitive advantage

At a time when global pharmaceutical scandals raise doubts, Türkiye’s strong regulatory environment offers peace of mind for patients seeking safe, high-quality treatment abroad.

Trust Is the Foundation of Health Tourism

The crisis in India is more than a regional problem, it is a universal warning about the importance of strong drug regulation. It demonstrates that a successful treatment is only as safe as the medications involved.

At Sante Privee, our mission is to ensure that every patient coming to Türkiye experiences:

• Accredited hospitals
• Reliable medical teams
• Safe and approved medications
• A fully controlled, transparent treatment journey

Global health incidents like this one reinforce the importance of choosing a destination and a partner that prioritizes patient safety above everything else.

Source (WHO Alert):
https://www.who.int/news/item/13-10-2025-medical-product-alert-n-5-2025–substandard-%28contaminated%29-oral-liquid-medicines