WHO alert over India-made cough syrups after deaths in The Gambia

A global alert has been issued over four cough syrups after the World Health Organization (WHO) warned they could be linked to the deaths of 66 children in The Gambia.

The syrups have been “potentially linked with acute kidney injuries and 66 deaths among children”, it said.

The products were manufactured by an Indian company, Maiden Pharmaceuticals, which had failed to provide guarantees about their safety, the WHO added.

The firm has not yet commented.

The BBC has contacted Maiden Pharmaceuticals for comment.

Indian officials say they have asked the WHO to share evidence of the link between the syrups and the deaths.

The WHO identified the medicines as Promethazine Oral Solution, Kofexmalin Baby Cough Syrup, Makoff Baby Cough Syrup and Magrip N Cold Syrup.