Ibekimi Oriamaja Reports
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has notified healthcare providers and the general public of the deaths of 66 children in The Gambia as a result of the use of four subpar cough syrups.
The four products are Promethazine Oral Solution, Kofexmalin Baby Cough Syrup, Makoff Baby Cough Syrup, and Magrip N Cold Syrup, according to a statement issued yesterday by NAFDAC’s Resident Media Consultant, Sayo Akintola.
According to the agency, laboratory analysis of product samples revealed that they contained unacceptable levels of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol as contaminants.
When diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol are consumed, they are toxic to humans and can be fatal.
According to NAFDAC, toxic effects may include abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, inability to pass urine, headache, altered mental state, and acute kidney injury, which can result in death.
Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited is the company that makes the products (Haryana, India).
The manufacturer has yet to provide WHO with assurances about the safety and quality of the products.
According to NAFDAC, all batches of the above-mentioned products should be considered unsafe.
“The substandard products in this alert are dangerous, and their use, particularly in children, may result in serious injury or death,” the alert warned.
According to NAFDAC, the products are not registered with the agency and thus should not be in circulation.
“These four products have been identified in The Gambia but may have been distributed to other countries or regions through informal markets,” NAFDAC said.
“NAFDAC urges importers, distributors, retailers, and consumers to exercise caution and vigilance throughout the supply chain to avoid the importation, distribution, sale, and use of substandard cough syrups,” it continued. All medical products must be purchased from authorized/licensed vendors.
“The authenticity and physical condition of the products should be carefully examined.” Members of the public who have the above-mentioned products should stop selling or using them and return them to the nearest NAFDAC office.
“Please do not use these substandard products if you have them.” If you or someone you know has used these products or has experienced any adverse reaction/event as a result of their use, you should seek immediate medical attention from a qualified healthcare professional.”
