Parliamentary committee in Gambia blames Indian pharma firm

A Gambian parliamentary committee really useful on Tuesday that an Indian pharmaceutical firm be banned and prosecuted over the deaths of at the very least 70 youngsters.

The committee accuses Maiden Pharmaceutical Limited of exporting contaminated merchandise to the nation.

“I’ve obtained a number of proof from a number of stakeholders, each in the private and non-private sectors, together with the dad and mom of the victims of AKI (Acute Kidney Damage, Ed.). The choose committee concludes that each one the circumstances of the AKI are linked to the consumption of contaminated medical merchandise imported by Atlantic Pharmaceutical, and manufactured by Maiden Prescribed drugs Restricted, India. The precise reason for the deaths of those youngsters remains to be below scientific investigations as causal exams are presently being undertaken by the Minister of Well being and companions”, stated Amadou Camara, Chairperson of the choose committee on well being.

In October, the World Well being Group, WHO, issued an alert over 4 syrups made by Maiden Prescribed drugs, based mostly in northern India.

In accordance with the UN, lab testing revealed unacceptable ranges of doubtless life-threatening contaminants.

“The choose committee is satisfied that Maiden Pharmaceutical Limited is culpable and must be held accountable for exporting the contaminated drugs that was linked to the deaths of at the very least 70 killed in Gambia in 2022″. (…) All merchandise must be subjected to screening earlier than launch available in the market for distribution and use.
This may make sure that what’s ordered is what’s delivered to keep away from what occurred within the case of Atlantic Pharmacy“, concluded the Chairperson of the committee.

Gambia has already recalled all cough and chilly syrups in circulation within the nation in addition to all pharmaceutical merchandise manufactured by Maiden Prescribed drugs, whose manufacturing plant in India has been shut down.

The corporate reportedly denies any wrongdoing.