THE Lagos State government, yesterday, announced that the killer paracetamol, My Pikin, had claimed 14 new lives in the state, bringing the total death toll to 39.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) had on Tuesday declared that 25 deaths were recorded in different hospitals across the Federation. According to NAFDAC, 15 died at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), eight at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria, and two at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan. The drug was produced by Barewa Pharmaceuticals Limited, based in Lagos.

However, Barewa Pharmaceuticals, manufacturers of My Pikin have denied the allegation that their product was responsible for the deaths of 39 children.

Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele, and Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, disclosed this at a joint press conference at Alausa, Ikeja, yesterday, saying the 29

deaths were recorded by LUTH and Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja (LASUTH).
According to Dr Idris, they were preceded by symptoms including inability to pass urine, fever, puffiness of the face, vomiting, diarrhoea, cough and catarrh.

He attributed the possible cause of deaths to teething syrup, herbal concoctions, paracetamol overdose or poisoning.

According to him, the development was first reported last week when there was an upsurge in the cases of acute renal failure reported across various Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.

He added that the age range of those affected was between six months and eight years.
Idris said immediately the state government got the report, it swung into action to stop further circulation and usage of the drug.

His words: “After the first case was recorded, a lot of meetings were held between officials of the Federal Government, LUTH and the state’s surveillance team where samples were collected and mothers interviewed with a view to finding out what could be the cause of the problem.

“From investigations carried out so far, the possible cause is the teething syrup that mothers gave to their children, some herbal concoctions and some of these syrups contain paracetamol either in high doses or the productcontains improper chemical,” he said.

Idris then urged parents, especially mothers, to refrain forthwith from using the killer paracetamol, My Pikin teething mixture till further notice.

“We are also appealing to all public and private hospitals that all cases of renal failure should be reported to the disease control directorate of the Lagos State Ministry of Health,” the commissioner said.

On the current efforts to stem the spread, Idris said samples of the suspected materials had been sent for investigation by NAFDAC, surveillance activities was ongoing, while education of care-givers on possible causes and preventive measures commenced.

The state government, therefore, recommended that all children with inability to pass urine/or puffiness of the face should be immediately taken to the hospital for proper medical attention, while drugs should be purchased only from registered pharmaceutical outlets.

On the mop up exercise by the state government, Idris said efforts were already on to cleanse markets of the killer product, “and the effectiveness of the monitoring team is not in doubt,” he assured.

He added that the first thing a responsible government does in such cases was to set up a surveillance system to find out the cause and nature of the problem.

Idris, therefore, called for support and collaboration of all health care providers, stakeholders, media and general public to be vigilant and stop further usage or spread of the deadly product.

My Pikin not responsible for deaths — Company chairman

Chairman of Barewa Pharmaceuticals, Mr. Kola Okunlola, dismissed allegations by the agency that the teething mixture was responsible for the deaths of 25 children nationwide, demanding evidence of the allegation.

According to Okunlola, the company was surprised by the allegations of NAFDAC in the face of facts by some of the Teaching Hospitals disclaiming the reports by NAFDAC.

“The company does not only have NAFDAC licence to produce the drug, but it has produced thousands of the drugs for more than two years without complaints from users or NAFDAC. The company also said it has come out clean from routine inspections of its production facilities and products by relevant government agencies including NAFDAC.

“As a responsible corporate citizen of Nigeria and one that is involved in the protection and promotion of good health, we are shocked at the claims of deaths of children in some of the nation’s hospitals.

“We are, however, bothered that there are conflicting claims between NAFDAC and the teaching hospitals regarding the deaths and the cause of such deaths.

“For instance, the Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee of the University of Ibadan Teaching Hospital has disputed claims that some children died in the hospital. We also note that the Chief Medical Director of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital has also disputed claims that the deaths recorded in the hospital were due to the consumption of a particular drug. As the CMD said, only a conclusive laboratory test will reveal the cause of such deaths

“As operators in the health sector committed to the promotion of good heath, we are shocked and sympathetic to the patients and their family. We are interested in the investigation of the cause of such deaths.

This explains why we instructed our lawyers to address a letter to NAFDAC, requesting a copy of the result of the tests.

“We hereby affirm our readiness to cooperate with NAFDAC and other relevant agencies to establish the truth in this case.

We also wish to allay fears about the reliability of our products. We are a responsible corporate citizen of Nigeria and have operated in the past years in compliance with the best of international standards to promote good health in the country and beyond,” the statement said.

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na true o

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) had on Tuesday declared that 25 deaths were recorded in different hospitals across the Federation. According to NAFDAC, 15 died at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), eight at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria, and two at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan. The drug was produced by Barewa Pharmaceuticals Limited, based in Lagos.

However, Barewa Pharmaceuticals, manufacturers of My Pikin have denied the allegation that their product was responsible for the deaths of 39 children.

There is no needfor this bikering. Children's lives are involved please. If it is proven that "My pikin" is implikcated in these deaths, the drug should be re-called. Not arguments.
The name "My Pikin" is even base. Please it is a personal opinion.

Be informed Everyone

makes you wonder how someone will consciously use a drug named my pikin