WHO warns of substandard drugs identified in Gambia
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned against the use of four substandard drugs identified in The Gambia.
“All batches of these products should be considered unsafe until they can be analyzed by the relevant national regulatory authorities,” he warned.
According to the World Health Agency, the products were reported to the WHO in September. They include Promethazine Oral Solution, Kofexmalin Baby Cough Syrup, Makoff Baby Cough Syrup, and Magrip N Cold Syrup.
WHO describes substandard medical products as products that do not meet their quality standards or specifications and are, therefore, "off-specification".
He said that the manufacturer of these products is Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited in Haryana, India.
"To date, the declared manufacturer has not provided any guarantees to the WHO on the safety and quality of these products," the regulatory agency said.
Laboratory analysis of samples of each of the products, according to the WHO, has confirmed that they contain unacceptable amounts of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol.
Diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol are toxic to humans when consumed and can be fatal.
Effects of contaminants include abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, inability to urinate, headache, altered mental status, and acute kidney injury, which can lead to death.
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The world health agency noted that the drugs were identified in The Gambia and may have been distributed, via informal markets, to other countries or regions.
He advised regulators and the public to detect and remove these products from circulation to avoid harm to patients.
“WHO calls for increased monitoring and due diligence within the supply chains of countries and regions that may be affected by these products. Increased monitoring of the informal/unregulated market is also advised,” a- he said.
He advised patients who may have used any of the products to seek medical attention immediately. He added that national regulatory/health authorities should immediately notify WHO if the products are discovered in their respective country.
Chiamaka Okafor is a journalist at Premium Times in partnership with Report for the World, which connects local newsrooms with talented emerging journalists to cover under-reported issues around the world.
Support the integrity and credibility journalism of PREMIUM TIMES Good journalism costs a lot of money. Yet only good journalism can guarantee the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy and a transparent government. For free and continued access to the best investigative journalism in the country, we ask that you consider providing modest support to this noble endeavour. By contributing to PREMIUM TIMES, you help sustain relevant journalism and keep it free and accessible to everyone.Donate
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The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned against the use of four substandard drugs identified in The Gambia.
“All batches of these products should be considered unsafe until they can be analyzed by the relevant national regulatory authorities,” he warned.
According to the World Health Agency, the products were reported to the WHO in September. They include Promethazine Oral Solution, Kofexmalin Baby Cough Syrup, Makoff Baby Cough Syrup, and Magrip N Cold Syrup.
WHO describes substandard medical products as products that do not meet their quality standards or specifications and are, therefore, "off-specification".
He said that the manufacturer of these products is Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited in Haryana, India.
"To date, the declared manufacturer has not provided any guarantees to the WHO on the safety and quality of these products," the regulatory agency said.
Laboratory analysis of samples of each of the products, according to the WHO, has confirmed that they contain unacceptable amounts of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol.
Diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol are toxic to humans when consumed and can be fatal.
Effects of contaminants include abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, inability to urinate, headache, altered mental status, and acute kidney injury, which can lead to death.
>
The world health agency noted that the drugs were identified in The Gambia and may have been distributed, via informal markets, to other countries or regions.
He advised regulators and the public to detect and remove these products from circulation to avoid harm to patients.
“WHO calls for increased monitoring and due diligence within the supply chains of countries and regions that may be affected by these products. Increased monitoring of the informal/unregulated market is also advised,” a- he said.
He advised patients who may have used any of the products to seek medical attention immediately. He added that national regulatory/health authorities should immediately notify WHO if the products are discovered in their respective country.
Chiamaka Okafor is a journalist at Premium Times in partnership with Report for the World, which connects local newsrooms with talented emerging journalists to cover under-reported issues around the world.
Support the integrity and credibility journalism of PREMIUM TIMES Good journalism costs a lot of money. Yet only good journalism can guarantee the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy and a transparent government. For free and continued access to the best investigative journalism in the country, we ask that you consider providing modest support to this noble endeavour. By contributing to PREMIUM TIMES, you help sustain relevant journalism and keep it free and accessible to everyone.Donate
[embedded content]TEXT ANNOUNCEMENT: Call Willie - +2348098788999
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