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WHO AlertThe World Health Organization (WHO) has issued an alert regarding 4 medicines for cough and cold made by Maiden Pharmaceuticals of India. The organization said that this cough syrup could be the reason for the death of 66 children in the country of Gambia. The WHO has linked it to the potential for serious kidney disease and 66 child deaths in The Gambia. Reuters quoted the WHO as saying that further investigation is being done with the company and regulatory authorities.
Cough syrup is against the norm
The WHO said in a medical product alert, “By laboratory analysis, samples of each of the 4 products showed that the levels of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol in them are contrary to the standard.” WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that the WHO has today issued a Medical Product Alert for 4 drugs identified in The Gambia as potentially linked to serious kidney diseases and 66 child deaths. Tedros further said that the death of these children is a deep shock to their families.
warned other countries
He further said that these 4 medicines have been made by Maiden Pharmaceuticals Ltd of India in the form of syrup for prevention of cough and cold. Tedros further wrote that WHO is conducting further investigation with the relevant company and regulatory authorities in India. He further added that contrary to the standard these products have so far only been detected in The Gambia, they may have been distributed in other countries. Tedros further said that WHO recommends detection and removal of these products in all countries to prevent further harm to patients.
Let us tell you that in the Gambia last month in September, sixty children died. According to reports, after drinking some cough syrup, the problem in the kidneys of these children came to the fore. Since then the government has been investigating the cause of these deaths.