PMRA and MCM say Malawi free from substandard cough syrups cited by WHO

Malawi: The Pharmacy and Medicine Regulatory Authority (PMRA), in collaboration with the Medical Council of Malawi (MCM), has stated that four substandard cough syrups manufactured by Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited of Haryana, India, are unlikely to be available in the country.

Following the death of children who consumed the products in the Gambia, the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Surveillance and Monitoring System on Substandard and Falsified Medical Products issued an international alert concerning four substandard cough syrups manufactured by Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited of Haryana, India.

Promethazine Oral Solution, Kofexmalin Baby Cough Syrup, Makoff Baby Cough Syrup, and Magrip N Cold Syrup are the four cough syrups.

The authority and the council have assured the public in a joint statement that the stated manufacturer of the substandard products is not registered with PMRA to manufacture medicines for Malawi.

Meanwhile, in accordance with their mandates of protecting the public from harm and guiding the professions, the Authority and the Council have called for increased vigilance to prevent the importation of unlicensed products.

"All stakeholders are being encouraged to report to PMRA promptly when they find these products or any illegal products within the country’s supply chain," reads part of the statement.

The Medical Council of Malawi, on the other hand, has urged its registered practitioners to refrain from storing and prescribing unregistered medicines, as they pose a risk to the public.

Furthermore, the Council has urged practitioners to be cautious and report any suspicious use or transactions involving the listed medicines.

The Medical Council of Malawi, on the other hand, has urged its registered practitioners to refrain from storing and prescribing unregistered medicines, as they pose a risk to the public.

Furthermore, the Council has urged practitioners to be cautious and report any suspicious use or transactions involving the listed medicines.

"Practitioners who will knowingly prescribe these medicines may commit an offense against the Medical Practitioners and Dentists Act No 17 of 1987 and may be subjected to disciplinary hearing," warns the Medical Council of Malawi.

The Authority and the Council stated that they will continue to ensure that medicines and allied substances used in the country are of acceptable quality, safe, and efficacious in accordance with our mandate as outlined in the PMRA Act, and that practitioners carry out their duties in strict accordance with their code of ethics.