SAHPRA warns of cough syrup by Maiden Pharmaceuticals after 33 Gambia deaths
The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) has warned against the use of cough syrups manufactured by Maiden Pharmaceuticals.
This follows the deaths of 33 children in Gambia.
Four products, Promethazine Oral Solution, Kofexmalin Baby Cough Syrup, Makoff Baby Cough Syrup and Magrip N Cold Syrup manufactured by Indian company, Maiden Pharmaceuticals.
SAHPRA Spokesperson Yuven Gounden says 33 children in Gambia died of kidney-related illness. The World Health Organisation (WHO) laboratory tests later linked the medication to the deaths.
Gounden warns that the products have been identified in Gambia, but there is a possibility that they may be distributed to other countries.
READ: WHO probing Indian cough syrup after 66 children die in The Gambia
The products are not registered for use in South Africa.
"The four products contain unacceptable amounts of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol which are toxic substances and can prove to be fatal. The fact that these medicines were administered to children makes the matter far more serious.
"Toxic effects following consumption of the product(s) can include abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, inability to pass urine, headache, altered mental state, and acute kidney injury which may lead to death.
“If you are in possession or come across any of these products, please ensure that you do not consume these products, nor should you administer it to children.”
MORE ON ECR
