NAFDAC raises alarm over four cough syrups that may harm health

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has joined its international partner, the World Health Organization (WHO), in a campaign against four substandard cough syrups that the WHO flagged in September 2022.

NAFDAC said 66 children in The Gambia had died after using the four products, a message it passed on to the public, healthcare professionals and the media.

The products in question

  • Promethazine Oral Solution,
  • Kofexmalin Baby Cough Syrup,
  • Makoff Baby Cough Syrup,
  • Magrip N Cold Syrup

The caution came in a statement issued on Sunday by Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director General of NAFDAC.

Laboratory testing of samples from the four items, the statement said, “confirms that they contain unacceptable amounts of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol as contaminants.”

Air potato (ikpalo) and the health benefits it offers

What do diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol do to the body?

Ingesting either substance is dangerous to humans and can be deadly, the alert stated.

Risks linked to the substandard syrups

Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, an inability to pass urine, headaches, an altered mental state and severe kidney damage, which may prove fatal, are among the toxic effects that can follow.

Related Stories

Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited of Haryana, India, is named as the manufacturer. According to the alert, the company has not yet given the WHO any assurances about the safety and quality of the products.

Used by anyone — and especially by children — the medicines named could cause serious harm or death.

Three medical reasons to drop bread from your daily diet

NAFDAC: unregistered products have no place on the market

So far the four syrups have been found only in The Gambia, although they may have reached other countries or regions through unofficial markets.

NAFDAC asked importers, distributors, retailers and consumers — everyone in the supply chain — to remain cautious and vigilant against the importation, distribution, sale and use of substandard cough syrups. Medicines should be bought only from approved or authorised sellers, and buyers should check the physical condition and authenticity of what they purchase.

NAFDAC’s advisory to the general public!

Members of the public were urged to stop selling or using the products and to hand over any leftover stock at the closest NAFDAC office.

Anyone holding these items was advised not to use them and to seek prompt medical attention from a licensed healthcare provider if they or someone they know has taken them or experienced any adverse reaction.

Healthcare professionals and patients with suspicions about adverse drug reactions or about substandard or counterfeit medicines were asked to contact NAFDAC on 0800-162-3322 or by email at [email protected].