WHO, Edo Warn Against Sales and Use of Four Drugs

The Edo State administration has issued a warning against the sale and use of four medications, stating that the World Health Organization (WHO) is looking into the pills for possible connections to acute renal injury and more than 66 child fatalities in the Gambia.

Prof. Obehi Akoria, the commissioner for health in Edo State, demanded in a statement that any pharmacies with the medications in stock immediately dispose of them through the proper procedures.

These include Promethazine Oral Solution, Magrip N Cough Syrup, Kofexmalin Baby Cough Syrup, and Promethazine Baby Cough Syrup.

The WHO has issued a global alert/warning for these four medications, namely Promethazine Oral Solution, Kofexmalin Baby Cough Syrup, Makoff Baby Cough Syrup, and Magrip N Cough Syrup, according to the statement.

“These medications are being looked into for possible connections with acute renal damage and over 66 infant deaths in the Gambia.

Laboratory analysis of samples from each of the four items reveals that they each contain unacceptable levels of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol, both of which are harmful to humans and may be fatal.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) officers will soon provide an update, she added.

“All pharmacies that may have these medications on hand must immediately dispose of them through the proper methods.

The commissioner continued, “Please watch out! Use none of these medications. Cough and cold syrups shouldn’t be given to infants or young children.