FCCPC will partner  authorities to prevent 4 substandard cough syrups in Nigeria -Irukera

*Babatunde Irukera, Executive Vice-Chairman/CEO of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, assures the regulator will work with competent authorities to forestall possible entry or sale of the four substandard products in the Nigerian market

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

In fulfilment of its mandate, and exercise of its regulatory powers, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission recalls the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) recently issued a warning to importers, distributors, retailers and consumers to refrain from the importation, distribution, sale and use of four cough syrups made by Maiden Pharmaceuticals and manufactured in India.

The Commission said that NAFDAC determined (as other health authorities have) that the products did not meet applicable standards, stated that it did not approve them for use in Nigeria, and might cause injury to consumers.

The agency listed the specific products include Promethazine Oral Solution, Kofexmalin Baby Cough Syrup, Makoff Baby Cough Syrup, and Magrip N Cold Syrup.

The FCCPC also noted the NAFDAC warning is consistent with a global medical product alert issued by the World Health Organisation (WHO) Wednesday, October 5, 2022, which linked the death of sixty-six children in The Gambia to the said cough syrups.

Reports indicate that the medications were exclusively delivered to The Gambia.

However, the existence of informal and uncontrolled marketplaces, as well as mutual regional trade liberalisation policies, including under Treaty obligations makes it conceivable, and certainly, not improbable that exposure in Nigeria could occur, said the Commission.

Pursuant to Sections 17(a), (j), (l), (m), (n), (t), (x), 18(1)(b), 131, and 133 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection  Act (FCCPA) 2018, in strengthening, and further propagating the alert and warning by NAFDAC, therefore, the FCCPC in an Advisory, issued Thursday, October 13, 2022, and endorsed by Mr. Babatunde Irukera, Executive Vice-Chairman/ Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of the Commission, urged any relevant stakeholders to comply strictly with the NAFDAC protocols identified in health agency’s release or Regulations and Guidelines.

Irukera, in the advisory, also assured that the Commission will work with competent authorities to forestall possible entry or sale of the products in the Nigerian market.

“Where citizens feel the need or find contacting the FCCPC preferable or easier, please contact us through our usual channels, particularly, contact@fccpc.gov.ng for onward transmission to NAFDAC,” said the advisory.