NAFDAC warns against five toxic syrups from Pakistan

The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a public alert about five syrups that are contaminated with dangerous chemicals.

The syrups are Alergo, Emidone, Mucorid, Ulcofin and Zincell, and they are manufactured by Pharmix Laboratories Limited in Pakistan.

NAFDAC director-general (DG) Mojisola Adeyeye said that 23 batches of the syrups have been found to contain ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol, which are poisonous to humans. The contamination was first detected by the Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) in November 2023, and confirmed by the Therapeutic Goods Administration of Australia (TGA). The syrups have also been reported in Belize, Fiji and Lao People’s Democratic Republic.

“In November 2023, samples of five different batches of ALERGO syrup were screened for non-compliance by the quality control laboratory of the Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) in accordance with the thin layer chromatography (TLC) test for Diethylene Glycol and Ethylene Glycol for inclusion in The International Pharmacopoeia,” the alert reads.

“The routine screening detected potentially unacceptable amounts of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol as contaminants.

“Laboratory testing conducted by the Therapeutic Goods Administration of Australia (TGA) confirmed that all five batches were contaminated with ethylene glycol at levels ranging from 0.62 to 0.82% w/w relative to the accepted limit of not more than 0.10% w/w.

“A follow-on inspection of PHARMIX LABORATORIES (PVT.) LTD was conducted by the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP).

“According to DRAP, a review of the manufacturing facility and manufacturing records suggested that diethylene glycol/ethylene glycol as contaminants may be present in other products and batches manufactured by Pharmix.

“The safety and quality of these products can, therefore, not be guaranteed.

“As a precautionary measure Pharmix has been instructed by DRAP to stop production of all oral liquid dosage medicines and issued a Recall Alert for the five different oral dosage forms manufactured by Pharmix.

“Diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol are toxic to humans when consumed and can prove fatal.

“Toxic effects can include abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, inability to pass urine, headache, altered mental state, and acute kidney injury which may lead to death.

“These substandard products referenced in this alert are unsafe and their use, especially in children, may result in serious injury or death.

“Although these products are not registered by NAFDAC, they may have been distributed, through formal and informal markets, to other countries or regions, including Nigeria.

“NAFDAC implores importers, distributors, retailers and consumers to exercise caution and increase vigilance within the supply chain to avoid the importation, distribution, sale and use of the substandard cough syrups.

“Members of the public in possession of the above listed products are advised not to sale or use the products, instead they are to submit stock to the nearest NAFDAC office.

“Seek immediate medical advice from a qualified healthcare professional if you have used the product, or suffered an adverse reaction/event having used the products.”