The World Health Organisation (WHO) Global Surveillance and Monitoring System on Substandard and Falsified Medical Products has issued an international alert concerning four substandard cough syrups manufactured by Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited of Haryana, India.
The four cough syrups are Promethazine Oral Solution, Kofexmalin Baby Cough Syrup, Makoff Baby Cough Syrup and Magrip N Cold Syrup.
According to a joint statement signed by the Pharmacy and Medicine Regulatory Authority (PMRA) and the Medical Council of Malawi (MCM), these products contain unacceptable amounts of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol, making them toxic and, therefore, unsafe to use.
The Authority and the Council are, however, assuring the public that the stated manufacturer of these substandard products is not registered with PMRA to manufacture medicines for Malawi, making it very unlikely for the stated four cough syrups to be available in the country.
The statement says authorities will remain steadfast in ensuring that medicines and allied substances being used in the country are of acceptable quality, safe and efficacious.
