By Gom Mirian
The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has raised an alarm about a substandard paracetamol suspension tagged ‘PARA CLEAR SUSPENSION 125’ received from Liberian Medicine and Health Product Regulatory Authority for laboratory testing in the NAFDAC Central Drug Control Laboratory (CDCL).
A publication made available on the NAFDAC website on Thursday disclosed this.
It said laboratory analysis of the sample confirms that the product contains toxic ethylene glycol, a toxic substance that is not expected in product formulations and the product also failed the requirement for acute oral toxicity with five deaths of the laboratory animals recorded.
The information stated: “Diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol are toxic to humans when consumed and can prove fatal. Toxic effects can include abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, inability to pass urine, headache, altered mental state, and acute kidney injury which may lead to death.
“Although the product is not in the 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. All medical products must be obtained from auauthorisedicensed suppliers. The products’ authenticity and physical condition should be carefully checked.
“NAFDAC implores members of the public to desist from purchasing medicinal products from unauthorised sources such as roadside vendors and street hawkers as fake drugs are mostly smuggled into the country from neighboring countries and distributed through such inappropriate channels.
“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 this product or suffered any adverse reaction/event after use, you are advised to seek immediate medical advice from a qualified healthcare professional,” it added.
NAFDAC urged healthcare professionals and consumers to report any suspicion of the sale and use of substandard and falsified medicines to the nearest NAFDAC office, NAFDAC 0800-162-3322 or via email: sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng.
