Maiden Pharmaceutical Limited, manufacturer of the imported syrups from India linked to the death of 69 Gambian children said the products are meant ‘for export only’
The statement dubbed ‘clarification’ signed by Vivek oyat, the Director of the firm said the products are ‘for export only’.
The clarification’ in the statement referred to as ‘the brief facts’ are:
“1. That we are in the field of medicines for over three decades and have been diligently following the protocols of the health authorities including Drugs Controller General (India) and the State Drugs Controller, Haryana.
2. That we have valid drug approvals for the export of the products in question and we are not selling anything in (the) domestic market, so it is for export only.
3. That we state that (we) have been obtaining the raw materials from the certified and reputed companies.
4. That we are shocked to hear the media reports regarding the deaths and deeply saddened on this incident but we received the official information from our agent at the Gambia on 5th October 2022 and on the subsequent date, World Health Organization alert was issued against us.
5. That the government agencies visited our factory on 1 October 2022, 3rd October 2022, 6th October 2022 and 7th October 2022 and the samples were drawn by the CDSCO along with all relevant documents in question in presence of our directors.
5. That the samples have been drawn by the CDSCO officials and we are awaiting the results and since the matter is already pending investigation and subjudice, we cannot comment on any other issues and shall update you in future as and when we receive the information,” it stated dated 8th October 2022.
The Gambian President on Friday addressed the nation after 66 under 5 children died of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) outbreak linked to the medicines manufactured by the Indian company.
The address said, “the child mortality figure of sixty-six (66) is not at much variance with the recorded data for similar periods in the past”.
Nevertheless, in a follow-up statement on Saturday, the government ordered the suspension of the licence of the suspected pharmacy and importer of the medicines.