World Health Organization sounds alarm over Indian-produced cough syrup after deaths in The Gambia

Published by BBNTEAM at October 6, 2022

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Posted: Thursday, October 6, 2022. 7:21 am CST.

By Zoila Palma Gonzalez: The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a global alert over 4 cough syrups that could be linked to the deaths of 66 children in The Gambia, BBC reports.

The WHO noted that the cough syrups could be “potentially linked with acute kidney injuries and 66 deaths among children”.

The products that were produced by the Indian company, Maiden Pharmaceuticals had failed to provide guarantees about safety.

The company is yet to issue a comment on this latest alert.

Meanwhile, Indian officials have requested that the WHO share evidence of the link between the syrups and the deaths.

WHO officials say that the products, Promethazine Oral Solution, Kofexmalin Baby Cough Syrup, Makoff Baby Cough Syrup, and Magrip N Cold Syrup have been identified in The Gambia but may have also been distributed through informal markets to other countries and regions.

The warning says that the use of these products may result in serious injury or death, especially among children.

The Gambia government has also suspended the use of all paracetamol syrups and has urged people to use tablets instead.

An analysis of the products revealed that they contain toxic substances and their effects included abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, inability to pass urine, headache, altered mental state, and acute kidney injury which may lead to death.

WHO chief Tedros Ghebreyesus said: “The loss of these young lives is beyond heart-breaking for their families.”

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