October 6, 2022
2 mins read

WHO probing 4 India-made cough syrups in Gambia after 66 kids die

WHO requests increased surveillance and diligence within the supply chains of countries and regions likely to be affected by these products. …reports Asian Lite News

The World Health Organization on Wednesday issued an alert for four “contaminated” India-made medicines, chiefly for paediatric use, identified in the west African nation of The Gambia and found to contain chemicals that are toxic and potentially fatal after 66 child deaths.

“WHO has today issued a medical product alert for four contaminated medicines identified in #Gambia that have been potentially linked with acute kidney injuries and 66 deaths among children. The loss of these young lives is beyond heartbreaking for their families,” the WHO said in a series of tweets, citing its Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

“The four medicines are cough and cold syrups produced by Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited, in India. WHO is conducting further investigation with the company and regulatory authorities in India,” it said.

The WHO Medical Product Alert said that the four substandard products, reported to it in September, are Promethazine Oral Solution, Kofexmalin Baby Cough Syrup, Makoff Baby Cough Syrup and Magrip N Cold Syrup, all stated to be manufactured by Maiden Pharmaceuticals Ltd located in Haryana.

Noting that the stated manufacturer has not provided guarantees to WHO on the safety and quality of these products, the alert said that laboratory analysis of samples of each of the four products confirms that they contain unacceptable amounts of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol, both “toxic to humans when consumed and can prove fatal”.

“The substandard products referenced in this alert are unsafe and their use, especially in children, may result in serious injury or death,” it said, adding that the toxic effects can include abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, inability to pass urine, headache, altered mental state, and acute kidney injury which may lead to death.

All batches of these products should be considered unsafe until they can be analysed by the relevant national regulatory authorities, the WHO said.

While these four products have been identified in The Gambia, it apprehended that they may have been distributed, through informal markets, to other countries or regions, and it “is important to detect and remove these substandard products from circulation to prevent harm to patients”.

WHO requests increased surveillance and diligence within the supply chains of countries and regions likely to be affected by these products. Increased surveillance of the informal/unregulated market is also advised, the alert said.

It underlined that all medical products must be approved and obtained from authorised/licensed suppliers, the products’ authenticity and physical condition should be carefully checked, and advice taken from a healthcare professional when in doubt.

“If you have these substandard products, please DO NOT use them. If you, or someone you know, have used these products or suffered any adverse reaction/event after use, you are advised to seek immediate medical advice from a qualified healthcare professional and report the incident to the National Regulatory Authority or National Pharmacovigilance Centre,” the alert said.

“National regulatory/health authorities are advised to immediately notify WHO if these substandard products are discovered in their respective country,” it added.

ALSO READ: Vivek Murthy to join WHO executive board

Previous Story

Zelensky, Stoltenberg discuss Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic integration

Next Story

Turkey to deploy troops to secure FIFA World Cup

Latest from -Top News

American missionary abducted in Niger

The US Embassy in Niamey issued a security alert warning that American citizens “remain at a heightened risk of kidnapping throughout Niger, including in the capital city”…reports Asian Lite News An American

Ouattara predicted to win fourth term

Around 8.7 million Ivorians were registered to vote, though analysts had predicted a lower turnout compared with the last two elections, when participation slightly exceeded 50%…reports Asian Lite News Votes were being

Russia Fires at EU

Zakharova called the sanctions package “illegal” and “self-destructive”, while accusing Brussels of isolating itself on the international stage…reports Asian Lite News Russia’s Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has slammed the European Union’s

Mamdani Hits Back at Racism

Mamdani criticised rivals for spreading “hatred,” saying their Islamophobia harms him and nearly one million Muslims in New York….reports Asian Lite News New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani on Friday delivered
Go toTop

Don't Miss

EgyptAir to resume direct flights to Toronto

EgyptAir has announced the resumption of direct flights between Cairo

Antonio calls for restraint in Guinea-Bissau after failed coup

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for restraint in Guinea-Bissau