India halts cough syrup production at factory linked to deaths of Gambian children

Anil Vij, the health minister of India’s northern state of Haryana, has ordered Maiden Pharmaceutical Limited to stop manufacturing all drugs with immediate effect.

Maiden Pharmaceuticals is said to have manufactured four cough syrups linked with acute kidney injuries and the death of 66 children in Gambia.

TheCable had recently reported that the World Health Organisation (WHO) issued an alert on the four cough syrups — Promethazine Oral Solution, Kofexmalin Baby Cough Syrup, Makoff Baby Cough Syrup, and Magrip N Cold Syrup.

The WHO said the four products were identified in the Gambia, but may have been distributed through informal markets to other countries or regions.

In a statement on Wednesday, Vij ordered a pause on manufacturing in the company.

The minister said about 12 flaws were found during a joint inspection conducted at the pharmaceutical company by India’s federal and state drug departments.

“A notice has been served to the pharma company directing that total production shall be stopped,” Vij was quoted as saying.

“Samples of the drugs mentioned by the WHO of Sonipat’s pharmaceuticals company were sent to the Central Drug Lab in Kolkata. The reports are not in yet. Action will be taken after that.”

The minister added that the Indian government was yet to get the complete information.

Meanwhile, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned Nigerians against the use of the cough syrup brands.

Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC director-general, said alerts have been sent to all healthcare providers and professional bodies on the agency’s database.

The NAFDAC DG also said measures have been put in place to prevent the entry of the deadly cough syrups into Nigeria.