India's contaminated cough syrup not imported to Maldives: MFDA
A total of 66 children have died to date from these medicines and many more are being treated for kidney and liver problems.
By
Aman Haleem
Although the Indian cough syrup under World Health Organisation (WHO) alert may not be on the list of medicines permitted to be sold in Maldivian pharmacies, Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) has advised caution as the medicine could enter the country any other way.
The children's cough syrup manufactured by Maiden Pharmaceutical Ltd in Haryana were reportedly contaminated with unacceptable amounts of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol.
The cough syrups from Maiden Pharmaceuticals December 2021 batch has been banned.
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Promethazine Oral Solution, Lot Number: ML21-202
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Kofexmalin Baby Cough Syrup, Lot Number: ML21-199
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Makoff Baby Cough Syrup, Lot Number: ML21-203
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Magrip N Cold Syrup, Lot Number: ML21-198
In response to the WHO alert, MFDA said Thursday that the medicines are prohibited from being imported and sold in the Maldives, but are still likely to have been brought in via informal channels, with prescription or as personal purchase.
MFDA added that it will be monitoring the ports with extra attention as a precautionary measure to ensure that these drugs do not enter the country even via shipped prescription medicines.
The matter was brought to the attention of WHO by Gambia. According to Gambian authorities, the cases of the syrups were looked into due to the steady increase in kidney problems among children under the age of five since July this year.
A total of 66 children have died to date and many more are being treated for kidney and liver problems.
