Drug control agency warns Nigerians on substandard cough syrups in circulations

The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has identified four substandard cough syrups and warned Nigerians to abstain from the contaminated medicines said to be in circulation.

Penpushing reports that, a statement by the Resident Media Consultant of the agency, Sayo Akintola said the warning became necessary following recent deaths of some children in Gambia, after consumption of the products.

The agency gave the list of the substandard cough syrups as include:  Promethazine Oral Solution, Kofexmalin Baby Cough Syrup, Makoff Baby Cough Syrup and Magrip N Cold Syrup, stressing that, laboratory analysis of samples of the four products confirms that they contain unacceptable amounts of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol as contaminants.

Penpushing further reports that, the National Agency for FOOD AND drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) explained that diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol are toxic to humans when consumed and can prove fatal.

The statement said manufacturer of these products is Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited (Haryana, India), noting that, to date, the stated manufacturer has not provided guarantees to World Health Organisation (WHO) on the safety and quality of these products.

‘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. NAFDAC implores importers, distributors, retailers and consumers to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain to avoid the importation, distribution, sale’, Akintola emphasised

Penpushing also reports that, the agency gave the  details of the substandard cough syrups are as follows, Product Manufacture: Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited (Haryana, India), Product Name: Promethazine Oral Solution, • Kofexmalin Baby Cough Syrup, • Makoff Baby Cough Syrup • Magrip N Cold Syrup

The statement declared that, all batches of these products listed above should be considered unsafe, stressing that, the substandard products in this alert are unsafe and their use, especially in children, may result in serious injury or death.

‘The products are not registered by NAFDAC, therefore should not be in circulation. To date, these four products have been identified in The Gambia, but may have been distributed, through informal markets, to other countries or regions’.

‘NAFDAC implores importers, distributors, retailers and consumers to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain to avoid the importation, distribution, sale and use of the substandard cough syrups. All medical products must be obtained from authorized/licensed suppliers’.

‘The products’ authenticity and physical condition should be carefully checked. Members of the public in possession of the above listed products are advised to discontinue sale or use and submit stock to the nearest NAFDAC office’.

‘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’.

‘Healthcare professionals and consumers are encouraged to report any suspicion of adverse drug reaction and substandard and falsified medicines to NAFDAC on 0800- 162-3322 or email: [email protected]’

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