World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned against the circulation of substandard (contaminated) cough medicines in Cameroon.

Development Diaries reports that the substandard syrup was identified in Cameroon and first reported to WHO on 13 March, 2023.

WHO said it got samples of Naturcold syrup from Cameroon on 27 June, 2023, which were analysed in a WHO-contracted and prequalified laboratory.

It said the analysis found that the product contained unacceptable amounts of diethylene glycol as contaminants.

Diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol are harmful to humans and can be lethal, according to numerous studies.

Substandard or falsified medicines pose a serious health hazard and result in significant morbidity and mortality.

A 2017 study by the WHO revealed that an estimated one in ten medical products circulating in low- and middle-income countries is either substandard or falsified.

‘This WHO medical product alert refers to a batch of substandard (contaminated) Naturcold syrup identified in Cameroon and first reported to WHO on 13 March, 2023’, the global health body said in a statement.

‘All reasonable precautions have been taken by WHO to verify the information contained in this alert, and this may be updated as more information becomes available’.

It further noted that the stated active ingredients of Naturcold syrup are listed as paracetamol, phenylephrine hydrochloride and chlorpheniramine maleate.

‘The combination of these three ingredients is used to relieve symptoms associated with common cold, flu, and allergic rhinitis’, the statement said.

Development Diaries calls on drug control agencies across African countries to step up action towards combating the influx of substandard medicines.

 Photo source: Cameroon Online