13 Oct 2022

There is no evidence of availability of cough and cold syrups in Botswana that are manufactured by Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited, Haryana, India, Botswana Medicines Regulatory Authority (BoMRA) has confirmed.

In a press release, BoMRA says preliminary investigation also shows that none of the mentioned products appear on their medicines register.

The clarity on the issue follows a global rapid alert BoMRA received from the World Health Organisation (WHO) on the syrups, which were first detected in Gambia.

The syrups, the release says, were declared unfit for use by World Health Organisation and allegedly responsible for the deaths of children reported in the same region.

It says upon receiving the alert, the authority immediately conducted due diligence on the matter, including checking databases of all registered products and records of importation including that of registered medicine distributors and retailers.

BoMRA is mandated to ensure that all medical products used in Botswana meet the set standards of safety, quality and efficacy.

The authority further reassures the nation that its post-marketing surveillance programme has increased surveillance and diligence within the supply chains to detect and remove any such products if found.

Therefore, the public is requested to notify BoMRA of any suspicious products that may have been distributed through informal markets as well as report adverse drug reactions.

The public and all stakeholders are further advised not to use any product if and when in doubt about its quality or authenticity and rather seek advice from healthcare professionals. ENDs