Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) has stated the contaminated pediatric medicine the World Health Organisation (WHO) has deemed as substandard products are not sold in the Maldives.
The WHO issued a medical product alert on Promethazine Oral Solution, Kofexmalin Baby Cough Syrup, Makoff Baby Cough Syrup, and Magrip N Cold Syrup, after they were identified in the Gambia. Substandard medical products are products that fail to meet either their quality standards or specifications.
MFDA stated the products are not on the list of medications approved for sale or available with prescriptions in the Maldives. The authority warned importers to be aware of the products and stated that commercial harbours will be monitored for the products.
Gambian authorities have reported the death of 66 children and kidney problems from those who have used the medicine products.