India told The Gambia on Thursday it was investigating the deaths of 69 children following a report that tentatively linked the deaths to Indian cough and cold syrups. Foreign Minister S Jaishankar has told his Gambian counterpart that the central government is “seriously investigating” the deaths of 69 children in Gambia. In a tweet, S Jaishankar said, “In telecon with Gambian FM Dr. Mamadou Tangara expressed our deepest condolences for the recent deaths of young children. He emphasized that the matter is being seriously investigated by the relevant authorities. We agreed to stay in touch.”
When the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a warning about four cough and cold syrups made by an Indian company, saying they could be linked to the deaths of 66 children in Gambia, Indian health authorities announced a halt to production at the domestic company. Maiden Pharmaceuticals factory in Haryana’s Sonepat. The WHO has said that cough and cold syrups manufactured by Maiden Pharmaceuticals in Haryana may be the reason for serious kidney injuries. “Please do not use them,” the WHO said in its recommendation.
“Laboratory analysis of samples of each of the four products confirms that they contain unacceptable levels of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol as contaminants,” WHO said in a medical product report. According to the WHO, diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol are toxic to humans and can be fatal, as their effects can include abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, inability to urinate, headaches, altered mental status, and acute kidney injury that can lead to death.
The four cough and cold syrups that have been linked to the deaths of 66 children in The Gambia are Promethazine Oral Solution, Kofexmaline Children’s Cough Syrup, Makoff Children’s Cough Syrup and Magrip N Cold Syrup. In the report, the WHO said that the Indian company has not yet provided guarantees of safety and quality of these products. The deaths, the worst involving drugs made in India, are a blow to an industry whose exports have more than doubled in the past decade to $24.5 billion in the fiscal year to March. Known as the “pharmacy of the world”, India supplies 45 percent of all generic drugs to Africa.
