The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued an alert over four cough and cold syrups manufactured by Maiden Pharmaceuticals in India.

The organization warned that the syrups could be linked to the death of 66 children in The Gambia. The syrups is also said to have been potentially linked with acute kidney injuries among children.

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

In the alert published on its website, the organization noted that the four identified products may have been distributed through informal markets to other countries or regions.

It then warned that their consumption may result in serious health injury or death, especially among children.

The WHO’s intercession came after medical authorities in The Gambia detected an increase in cases of acute kidney injury among children under the age of five in late July.

The Gambia’s government has since then suspended the use of all paracetamol syrups and has urged people to use tablets instead.

Speaking in Geneva on Thursday, WHO Chief, Tedros Ghebreyesus said, “The loss of these young lives is beyond heart-breaking for their families.”

“The substances were toxic, and their effects “can include abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, inability to pass urine, headache, altered mental state and acute kidney injury which may lead to death,” he added.

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