The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued an alert over four cough and cold syrups made by Maiden Pharmaceuticals in India, warning they could be linked to the deaths of 66 children in the Gambia.
The UN health agency also cautioned the contaminated medications may have been distributed outside the West African country, with global exposure “possible”.
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters the four cold and cough syrups in question “have been potentially linked with acute kidney injuries and 66 deaths among children”.
“The loss of these young lives is beyond heartbreaking for their families.”
Tedros said WHO was also “conducting further investigation with the company and regulatory authorities in India”.
According to the medical product alert issued by WHO Wednesday, the four products are Promethazine Oral Solution, Kofexmalin Baby Cough Syrup, Makoff Baby Cough Syrup and Magrip N Cold Syrup.
Read more: Warning over cough syrups after 66 children die in the Gambia
