The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Wednesday alerted Nigerians about a killer cough syrup, NATURCOLD.
Its Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye said the cough syrup already caused the death of six children in Cameroon.
She said the cough syrup was not in NAFDAC’s database, advising importers, distributors, retailers, and consumers to avoid the importation, distribution, sale, and consumption of the substandard syrup.
“All medical products must be obtained from authorised/licensed suppliers. The products’ authenticity and physical condition should be carefully checked.
“NAFDAC implores members of the public to desist from buying medicinal products from unauthorised sources such as roadside vendors and street hawkers”, she said.
Adeyeye added that fake drugs were mostly smuggled into the country from neighbouring countries and distributed through inappropriate channels.
She enjoined anyone in possession of NATURCOLD to discontinue its sale or use and submit stock to the nearest NAFDAC office.
“If you know anyone who has used this product, or suffered any adverse reaction after use, such a person is advised to seek immediate medical advice from a qualified healthcare professional”,’ she said.
Adeyeye also advised healthcare professionals and consumers to report any suspicious sales, or use of substandard and falsified medicines to the nearest NAFDAC office.
She explained that Cameroon’s Ministry of Public Health already issued an alert regarding the suspected substandard cough syrup, adding that the six deaths were recorded at a health facility in the district of Fundong, North-West region of that country.
Adeyeye quoted the delegate for Public Health in the region as saying that children who took the syrup showed a decrease in kidney function.
