The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has raised an alert over a suspected substandard cough syrup called ‘Naturcold’ that is said to have caused the deaths of six children under the age of five in the North-West region of Cameroon. Manufactured by Fraken Group, the cough syrup is believed to have caused a decrease in kidney function in the children.
NAFDAC has cautioned Nigerians that the product is not authorised for marketing in Cameroon and was purchased from unauthorised sources.
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The agency has advised importers, distributors, retailers, and consumers to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain to prevent the importation, distribution, sale and use of the substandard syrups.
NAFDAC has also implored members of the public to avoid buying medicinal products from unauthorised sources, such as roadside vendors and street hawkers, as fake drugs are mostly smuggled into the country from neighbouring countries and distributed through such inappropriate channels.
Anyone found in possession of the product has been urged to discontinue sale or use and submit stock to the nearest NAFDAC office, and those who have used the product or suffered any adverse reaction have been advised to seek immediate medical advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
