Contaminated Syrups Linked to Child Deaths: Products Not Sold in Mauritius

Title: Contaminated Syrups Linked to Child Deaths: Products Not Sold in Mauritius

Content: The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning about three contaminated cough syrups identified in India, which are responsible for child fatalities. Fortunately, these products are not available in Mauritius; however, the Importers Association is concerned about the assessment criteria for foreign medications.

On October 13, the WHO published a health advisory regarding three contaminated cough syrups identified in India: Coldrif (Sresan Pharmaceuticals), Respifresh TR (Rednex Pharmaceuticals), and ReLife (Shape Pharma). According to the agency, these batches pose significant risks and can cause severe, potentially fatal illnesses. The WHO urged health authorities to report any detection of these drugs in their respective countries.

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), the Indian health authority, stated that these syrups were allegedly consumed by children under five who recently died in the Chhindwara district of Madhya Pradesh. The CDSCO confirmed that none of these contaminated medications have been exported from India, and no evidence of illegal exportation has been detected. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also confirmed that these products were not shipped to the United States.

In Mauritius, Dr. Fazil Khodabocus, the interim director of health services, reassures the public: "These products are not present in the local market. The country implements strict criteria before accepting any medication from foreign suppliers, and pharmacovigilance has reported no issues with other cough syrups available here."

Due Diligence

However, concerns persist among pharmaceutical professionals. Siddique Khodabocus, president of the Association of Small and Medium Pharmaceutical Importers, expresses reservations. Although the contaminated syrups are not sold in Mauritius, he worries about the international tendering process being open to all companies, including those potentially flagged by the WHO. He believes that the health ministry is not conducting thorough due diligence: the evaluation of products relies solely on documents provided by suppliers.

The pharmacist recommends laboratory analyses for all imported medications, especially those from countries with reported quality issues. He advocates for stricter supplier selection criteria during international tenders, limiting participation to companies represented locally by a wholesaler or pharmaceutical importer. In his view, these measures are essential to ensure the safety of medications distributed in Mauritian hospitals.