By Biola Lawal
Abuja: (Flowerbudnews) The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof Moji Adeyeye has warned Nigerians against use of a suspected cough syrup, NATURCOLD said to have caused death of six children in Cameroon.
Prof. Adeyeye gave the warning in a NAFDAC public alert entitled: Alert on Killer Cough Syrup Manufactured by Fraken in Cameroon, detailing dangers of the suspected substandard drug as made available by the Cameroonian Ministry of Health.
The NAFDAC Boss disclosed that the suspected substandard product, which is said to be manufactured by Fraken Group was believed to have caused the deaths of six children under the age of five at a health facility in the health district of Fundong in North-West region of Cameroon.
Prof. Ad
eyeye said: The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is notifying the public that the Ministry of Public Health in Cameroon has issued an alert regarding a suspected substandard cough syrup named NATURCOLD .
According to the North-West Regional of Cameroon delegate for Public Health, the children showed a decrease in kidney function after consuming the suspected substandard cough syrup.
The product is not authorized for marketing in Cameroon and was purchased from unauthorized sources.
The NAFDAC Boss stated that ‘although the product is not in NAFDAC database, importers, distributors, retailers, and consumers are advised to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain to avoid the importation, distribution, sale and use of the substandard (contaminated) syrups.
Prof Adeyeye urged that all medical products must be obtained from authorized/licensed suppliers. The products’ authenticity and physical condition should be carefully checked.
The NAFDAC Boss implored members of the public to desist from purchasing medicinal products from unauthorized sources such as roadside vendors and street hawkers as fake drugs are mostly smuggled into the country from neighbouring countries and distributed through such inappropriate channels,
She advised further that ”anyone in possession of the above-mentioned product is advised to discontinue sale or use and submit stock to the nearest NAFDAC office.
” If you, or someone you know, have used these products, or suffered any adverse reaction/event after use, you are advised to seek immediate medical advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
Prof Adeyeye also urged Healthcare professionals and consumers are advised to report any suspicion of sale and use of substandard and falsified medicines to the nearest NAFDAC office, NAFDAC on 0800-162-3322 or via email: sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng
She also advised: ‘:healthcare professionals and patients are also encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of medicinal products to the nearest NAFDAC office, or through the use of the E-reporting platforms available on the NAFDAC website www.nafdac.gov.ng or via the Med-safety application available for download on android and IOS stores or via e-mail on pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng (Flowerbudnews)
