The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has notified Nigerians and healthcare providers of four deadly pediatric cough syrups in circulation in the Gambia with the possibility of filtering into Nigeria.
The four pediatric cough syrups are Promethazine Oral Solution, Kofexmalin Baby Cough Syrup, Makoff Baby Cough Syrup and Magrip N Cold Syrup.
NAFDAC, in a statement, on Sunday, disclosed that 66 children have so far died following the use of the four substandard cough syrups as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The Agency explained that laboratory analysis of samples of the four products confirmed that they contain unacceptable amounts of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol as contaminants.
NAFDAC further explained that Diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol are toxic to humans when consumed and can prove fatal. Some of the toxic effects can include abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, inability to pass urine, headache, altered mental state, and acute kidney injury which may lead to death.
It stated that the products are not registered by NAFDAC, and therefore should not be in circulation in Nigeria.
NAFDAC implored importers, distributors, retailers and consumers to exercise caution
and vigilance within the supply chain to avoid the importation, distribution, sale and
use of the substandard pediatric cough syrups.
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