A report by a Gambian Commission of Inquiry blames an Indian manufacturer of cough syrup for the deaths of 70 children. The results published in Banjul on Tuesday confirmed a suspicion by the World Health Organization that cough and cold syrups sold in the Gambia cause acute kidney failure. The parliamentary investigative body called on the government to take the cough syrup maker to court.
In October, shortly after the deaths became known, the regional government in the Indian state of Haryana, where Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited is based, banned production.
Autopsy results of deceased children were included in the report. According to laboratory analyses, the medicines imported from the Indian manufacturer were contaminated and contained an excessive amount of the substances ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol. The latter has been found time and again in counterfeit cough syrups in the past and led to poisonings and deaths worldwide.
Cheap production in India
Known as the pharmacy of the world, India produces many medicines cheaply, especially for poorer countries. The Gambia is a West African coastal country surrounded by Senegal. About 2.4 million people live there, about half below the poverty line.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
