WHO issues alert over four Indian syrups after 66 children die in Gambia

A cough syrup (Illustrative image).

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The World Health Organization issued an alert on Wednesday (October 5th) about four cough and cold syrups produced in India.

An analysis of samples reveals the presence of toxic products, which "

 " with the death of 66 children in The Gambia from kidney failure.

The WHO calls for the greatest vigilance.

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As a precautionary measure, the WHO recommends that all countries withdraw these drugs from circulation: Promethazine Oral Solution, Kofexmalin Baby Cough Syrup, Makoff Baby Cough Syrup and Magrip N Cold Syrup.

They are all made by the same Indian company: Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited.

For now, the risk is confined to The Gambia.

But until when ?

Because, according to the WHO, the Indian manufacturer could have used the same contaminated material in other products and distributed them locally or exported them abroad.

The WHO therefore warns of a “

 ”.

“Dangerous” products for the WHO

The concern about the dangerousness of these drugs was born in July, after the death of twenty children under five in The Gambia.

Today, we are talking about 66 deceased children.

The link is possible, but according to the WHO, " 

", in any case.

In its technical alert document, the organization indicates that the analysis of samples of each of the four products confirms contamination by two toxic products;

diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol " 

 ".

Toxic effects include abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and acute kidney damage that can lead to death.

►Also read: In Gambia, a paracetamol syrup suspected of having caused the death of 28 children

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