John Adoyi, PBA Journalism MenteeWorld Health Organisation (WHO), has issued alert on four cough and cold syrup brands that were produced by an India’s Pharmaceutical company warning that they might be linked to the death of 66 children in Gambia.
“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 global health body said on its verified twitter handle.
Director General of the World Health Agency, Tedros Ghebreyesus, speaking on Wednesday identified the pharmaceutical company as Haryana-based Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited
The Gambia’s Health Ministry asked hospitals last month to stop using the syrup paracetamol, pending the outcome of an investigation, after at least 28 children died of kidney failure.
The global Health agency boss also said “the loss of these young lives is beyond heartbreaking for their families.”
WHO said the drugs are Promethazine Oral Solution, Kofexmalin Baby Cough Syrup, Makoff baby syrup and Magrip N Cold syrup.
The health body said analysis from the laboratory showed that the four drugs contained unacceptable amount of “Diethylene Glycol and Ethylene Glycol” which when consumed could cause harm to the kidney.
WHO appealed to government of other countries to recall the drugs from their markets.
He added that even though the drugs were confirmed to have only been supplied to the Gambia there are fear that they might have been illegally shipped to other countries.
“While the contaminated products have so far only been detected in The Gambia, they may have been distributed to other countries. WHO recommends that all countries detect and remove these products from circulation to prevent further harm to patients,” the health body said.
Who also said it is working with the Indian drug authority and a pharmaceutical company to carry out more investigations.
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