WHO issues alert against four Indian-made cough, cold syrups in Gambia

The World Health Organization has issued an alert against four cough and cold syrups made by India-based Maiden Pharmaceuticals, saying it could be linked to the deaths of 66 minor children in the Gambia. The international health body said that the cough and cold syrups contain ingredients, such as diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol, which can be toxic for human beings.

The global body said it is investigating the company and Indian regulatory authorities.

As per reports last month, the Gambian government reported that it had been investigating the deaths of small children under the age of 5 years as there was a spike in cases of acute kidney injury which surfaced in July.

The four syrups identified are Magrip N Cold Syrup, Kofexmalin Baby Cough Syrup, Makoff Baby Cough Syrup and Promethazine Oral Solution.

The WHO said in a medical product alert that the samples in the syrup of each of the four products contain unacceptable amounts of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol as contaminants.

In a tweet, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, said that the WHO has issued a medical product alert for four contaminated medicines identified in The Gambia that have been linked to acute kidney injuries and 66 deaths among children. He said that the loss of these young lives is beyond heartbreaking for their families. The cough and cold syrups produced in India by Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited are among the four medicines.

According to reports, Ghebreyesus said at a press conference on Wednesday that they have only been detected in the Gambia, but they may have been distributed to other countries. He said that the global health body will ask all countries to detect and remove these products from circulation to prevent further harm to patients.