On October 5th, The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a warning on four cough and cold syrups manufactured by an Indian pharmaceutical company that has contributed to the deaths of 66 children in the Gambia. The Maiden Pharmaceuticals Ltd. company is based in Sonipat, Haryana. The names of the four cough syrups are Promethazine Oral Solution, Kofexmalin Baby Cough Syrup, Makoff Baby Cough Syrup, and Magrip N Cold Syrup.
Laboratory tests on samples of the four products, according to the WHO, reveal that they contain alarmingly elevated amounts of "contaminants" (ethylene and diethylene glycol). These four drugs have so far only been found in the Gambia, but they may have travelled through unofficial markets to other nations or areas, the WHO warned in the notice. It is crucial to understand that chemicals like Diethylene Glycol and Ethylene Glycol can have hazardous side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, difficulty urinating, headaches, changed psychological state, and acute kidney injury that may be lethal.
The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), which was told of the problem on September 29, has reportedly already begun an investigation. According to reports, the pharmaceutical company has so far only sold the drugs to the Gambia. WHO has also stressed the need for governments to strengthen supply chain surveillance to find and remove any subpar goods.
"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 WHO alert said. WHO is conducting additional inquiries with the business and Indian regulatory bodies. WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus was cited in a tweet.
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