Dr. Peter Aguek Kon, Director General for Inspection and Surveillance at the Drug and Food Control Authority speaking during a Press Conference in Juba on Monday 10th Oct 2022. Photo Credit: Charles Wote/Eye Radio.

The Drug and Food Control Authority has cautioned health facilities and the public against buying four fatal Indian-made cough syrups.

This comes days after The Gambia in West Africa announced the death of 66 children linked to the syrup.

South Sudan Drug and Food Control Authority said it has received a medical product alert from WHO indicating the four cough syrups are substandard.

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

They were manufactured by an Indian company, Maiden Pharmaceuticals or Haryana in India.

Dr. Peter Aguek Kon is the Director General for Inspection and Surveillance at the Drug and Food Control Authority.

He said the institution has directed public and private health facilities to dispose the products immediately in case they are in the country.

Dr. Aguek was speaking during a press conference in Juba this morning.

“We got this letter through our partners, WHO that any country within Africa have to do surveillance to make sure that those aforementioned drugs are not found in the countries,” said Aguek while speaking during a press conference in Juba on Monday.

“If they are there, they should be collected in the market and disposing them because they are having high risk.”

“So that is why I called the media to help us if those above mentioned drugs are found in any facilities whether it is a government, private should be collected and you have to contact the DFCA office.”

Dr. Peter Aguek Kon stated that even though company has not been officially registered in the country, he warns their products can be smuggled into South Sudan.

“These medicines are not registered in the country but it is a precaution but to make sure they are not available in the country because this manufacturer is not registered in the country.”

“So they are not available but in case they are coming in another way, even the quantity cannot be big what I know so far because the smuggling sometimes they not be in container. So I just advise no panic, but we just make sure that our country is out of this medication.”

The Drug and Food Control Authority is however appealing to the public to report the Cough Syrups by calling 0 925 661 173 or report to a nearby office.