The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has warned Nigerians to stay away from four substandard cough syrups alleged to have killed Children in The Gambia.
This was contained in an advisory signed by the Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Babatunde Irukera, stating that the warning was consistent with a global medical product alert issued by the World Health Organisation (WHO), linking the death of sixty-six children in The Gambia to the said cough syrups.
Recall that the the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) had issued a warning to importers, distributors, retailers, and consumers to refrain from the importation, distribution, sale and use of the four cough syrups manufactured in India.
According to the FCCPC Boss, The specific products which include Promethazine Oral Solution, Kofexmalin Baby Cough Syrup, Makoff Baby Cough Syrup, and Magrip N Cold Syrup, do not meet applicable standards, and are not approved for use in Nigeria.
The Commission however advised relevant stakeholders to comply strictly with NAFDAC protocols identified in it’s Regulations and Guidelines, assuring that the Commission will work with competent authorities to forestall possible entry or sale of the products in the Nigerian market.
Irukera also urged citizens who find contacting the FCCPC preferable to contact the Commission through its channel contact@fccpc.gov.ng for onward transmission to NAFDAC.
The Advisory reads:
On October 11, 2022, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), in fulfilment of its mandate, and exercise of its powers, issued a warning to importers, distributors, retailers, and consumers to refrain from the importation, distribution, sale and use of four cough syrups made by Maiden Pharmaceuticals and manufactured in India.
NAFDAC determined (as other health authorities have) that the products do not meet applicable standards, are not approved by it for use in Nigeria, and may cause injury. The specific products include Promethazine Oral Solution, Kofexmalin Baby Cough Syrup, Makoff Baby Cough Syrup, and Magrip N Cold Syrup.
NAFDAC’s warning is consistent with a global medical product alert issued by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Wednesday, October 5, 2022, which linked the death of sixty-six children in The Gambia to the said cough syrups.
Reports indicate that the medications were exclusively delivered to The Gambia. However, the existence of informal and uncontrolled marketplaces, as well as mutual regional trade liberalisation policies, including under Treaty obligations make it conceivable, and certainly not improbable that exposure in Nigeria could occur.
In strengthening, and further propagating the alert and warning by NAFDAC, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) hereby and now issues this Advisory, and in particular, advising any relevant stakeholder to comply strictly with NAFDAC protocols identified in NAFDAC’s release or Regulations and Guidelines.
The Commission will work with competent authorities to forestall possible entry or sale of the products in the Nigerian market.
Where citizens feel the need or find contacting the FCCPC preferable or easier, please contact us through our usual channels, particularly, contact@fccpc.gov.ng for onward transmission to NAFDAC.
