A medical product alert for four medicines has been issued. The loss of young lives beyond heartbreaking for their families, the United Nations (UN) agency said in a tweet. WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus was tagged in the tweet. "WHO has today issued a medical product alert for four contaminated medicines identified in #Gambia that 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"-@DrTedros
The cough and cold syrups are manufactured by Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited in India, the WHO said. The UN agency said it was conducting a further probe with the company and Indian regulatory authorities. "The four medicines are cough and cold syrups produced by Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited, in India. WHO is conducting further investigation with the company and regulatory authorities in India"- @DrTedros
The UN agency said while the contaminated medicines had so far only been detected in the Gambia they could have been distributed elsewhere. The WHO recommended all countries to track and remove the products from circulation to prevent further harm. "While the contaminated products have so far only been detected in The #Gambia, they may have been distributed to other countries. WHO recommends all countries detect and remove these products from circulation to prevent further harm to patients"- @DrTedros
Maiden Pharma declined to comment, according to Reuters.
Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij on Thursday promised "strict action" if any irregularities were discovered. "Central government officials are gathering information. Samples will be sent to the Central Drug Lab in Kolkatta. Stern action will be taken if anything wrong is found," Vij told ANI.