NAFDAC warns against use of four killer cough syrups

The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has called attention to death of 66 children in the Gambia resulting from the use of four substandard cough syrups as reported by WHO in
September 2022.

The agency said, o”The four products are Promethazine Oral Solution, Kofexmalin Baby Cough Syrup, Makoff Baby Cough Syrup and Magrip N Cold Syrup.”

This message was contained in a statement by the Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, which was released on Sunday.

The statement read in part, “Laboratory analysis of samples of the four products confirms that they contain unacceptable amounts of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol as contaminants. “

The statement further said, oo“Diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol are toxic to humans when consumed and can prove fatal. 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.

“The stated manufacturer of these products is Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited (Haryana, India). To date, the stated manufacturer has not provided guarantees to WHO on the safety and quality of these products..”