Killer Paracetamol Syrup Hits Market

THE National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in collaboration with the Lagos State Government has begun investigation into the discovery of a fake brand of paracetamol syrup in the market that is capable of causing kidney failure and, ultimately, death in children.
However, the authorities declined to give the name of the brand of paracetamol until investigations, said to be underway are advanced, or concluded.
According to a statement by the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris, NAFDAC has been notified and is conducting an investigation with a view to clarifying the situation further.
To prevent any casualty, Idris implored members of the public to avoid the use of any brand of paracetamol syrup pending the outcome of the NAFDAC investigation. He also advised all health institutions, public and private, to be on the alert and increase their vigilance on cases of children brought to their hospitals with signs of kidney failure.
The commissioner also urged members of the public to similarly report any case of such to the Lagos State Ministry of Health or the nearest health facility.
The state government had, on Monday, raised an alarm on the existence of the fake brand of paracetamol syrup with strong warning to avoid using the syrup.
When Vanguard contacted the the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the State Ministry of Health, Mr. Jide Lawal,  on the development, he declined to give the name of the brand of paracetamol saying full investigation is ongoing.
“As soon as we conclude investigation on it, full details shall be made known to the public.” Lawal said.
Late last year, scores of children nationwide died after using a teething syrup, “My Pikin.”
In a related development, the state government has impounded over 20,000 cans of a fake tomato puree, “Tasty Tom” being mass-produced in Ipaja-Ayobo in old Alimosho Local Government Area of the state.


culled from www.gamji.com,  vanguard news
Written by Olasunkanmi Akoni   
Wednesday, 21 January 2009