A rash of child deaths in Zambia has been linked to four pediatric cough syrups manufactured in India, as per World Health Organization (WHO).
News reports said that the deaths have been due to acute kidney injuries linked to the contaminated cough and cold syrups. The findings were announced by WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebryesus following tests on several medicinal syrups that were suspected of causing the death of 66 children.
The WHO is conducting an investigation with regulators in India and the drug manufacturer, New Delhi based Maiden Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
WHO also issued an alert on Wednesday asking regulators to withdraw medical products from Maiden Pharma from the market. The suspected syrup products are – Promethazine Oral Solution, Kofexmalin Baby Cough Syrup, Makoff Baby Cough Syrup and Magrip N Cold Syrup.
Eaarly Lab, investigations have revealed an ‘unacceptable’ amount of ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol in the syrups manufactured in India.
Following the recent spate of deaths, Maiden products have been banned in the country, Mr Bittaye told. Gambia’s Medicines Control Agency issued a letter for the health professionals in the country to desist from ordering or using any products listed by WHO until further investigations.