We first heard of this unfortunate incident late last year, and we wondered why the world was so unresponsive to this tragedy. We soon realized that the international media scantily reported on this issue, not giving it the weight it rightfully deserves. The reported 70 deaths and 81victims in hospitals in the Gambia was just a tip of the iceberg. More deaths were already happening in Asia, and if the media had sounded the alarm sooner, then some innocent young lives may have been saved. 

In September 2022, dozens of children suddenly died from acute kidney problems and this prompted the government of the Gambia to launch an investigation. This inquiry found that the 28 children that had been the first reported fatalities had taken paracetamol cough syrup to treat colds and flu. All of these contaminated medicines had been manufactured by Maiden Pharmaceuticals in India and sold to many countries. 

In October 2022, The World Health Organization issued a medical product alert, after a laboratory analysis found excessive levels of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol in four products made by the Indian drug manufacturer. These harmful chemicals are heavily used in industrial applications, in the manufacture of brake fluids, paints and inks. The deadly medicines given to the children caused severe damage to the liver, kidney and central nervous systems. The Gambian government recalled all cough medicines, but unfortunately many children had already taken them to treat colds and flu during the rainy season.  

Indian health authorities conducted a probe into Maiden Pharmaceuticals manufacturing factory and drug samples were collected. Maiden Pharmaceuticals has repeatedly had quality control violations and has been previously prosecuted in different Indian States. Government oversight in regulating pharmaceuticals has been so weak in the Gambia, India and many African countries and the children of The Gambia have had to pay the ultimate price by losing their lives.

The sad thing is that these families may never see justice prevail for the deaths of their precious children. The parliamentary committee in the Gambia has been calling for the prosecution of Maiden Pharmaceuticals, but prosecution alone may not be enough to stop such companies from perpetrating such atrocities in Africa. Other neighboring countries that had received these cough medicines have not made public any reports of fatalities, but it could be that they are covering up the backlash that they expect to receive for letting such detrimental drugs into their countries.

 

 The fact that many children in Africa are so vulnerable and exposed to such easily accessible drugs that have flooded the markets, is a clear violation of the children’s human rights. The governments, regulators and policy makers have to be held accountable, to protect the weak ones in sub-Saharan African countries.