New Delhi: The World Health Organisation (WHO) has banned the sale in Gambia of non-standard cough syrups manufactured by Sonipat-based Maiden Pharmaceuticals Ltd and urged other countries to remove the lot of related medicines from the market.
A WHO spokesperson said, “The quality of medical products cannot be compromised.”
“Before there is further damage, the WHO is working to remove the remaining non-standard cough syrups available in Gambia and other countries importing this drug,” the spokesman said. ’’
On October 5, the World Health Organization (WHO) had said that the death of 66 children in Gambia was attributed to four drugs — promethazine oral solution, cofexmeline baby cough syrup, Macoff baby cough syrup and Magrip N. Cold syrup- has a suspected role. Medan Pharmaceuticals had produced 10,000 vials of these syrups.
Meanwhile, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Haryana, have said that the WHO has not yet shared the laboratory report related to these drugs. The reports of the tests conducted by the central and state drug authorities are also yet to come.
“The levels of dithylene glycol and ethylene glycol found in these products (drugs), which have been tested in two different and authorized laboratories, are unacceptable,” the WHO spokesperson claimed.