National Drug Authority clears 12 syrups for infants
Mar 24, 2009
THE National Drug Authority (NDA) yesterday cleared 12 syrups, saying they are safe and effective for treatment of coughs and colds among infants.
By Fortunate Ahimbisibwe
THE National Drug Authority (NDA) yesterday cleared 12 syrups, saying they are safe and effective for treatment of coughs and colds among infants.
In a statement issued by the acting executive secretary, Gabriel Kaddu, the authority said the cough and cold syrups had been proved to be of good quality.
“NDA would like to assure the general public that the 12 cough and cold syrups on the national drug register are of good quality, safe and efficacious,†Kaddu said in the statement.
The authority also said the syrups had neither been recalled, withdrawn nor banned from the market.
“There is no sufficient evidence to do so.â€
“But we encourage the public to seek advice from health workers and to also buy medicines from drug shops and pharmacies with the authority’s licenses publicly displayed in their premises,†the statement said.
Kaddu advised health workers and the public to report any suspected ‘adverse drug reaction’ and quality issues related to drugs to the authority.
Media reports last week indicated that 12 syrups were a subject of an investigation by the NDA.
The investigations came amidst reports that doctors in the US, Kenya, and the World Health Organisation had raised concerns about the efficacy of the syrups, most of which are used to treat coughs and colds in infants.
Kenya mid this month also urged parents not to panic over the withdrawal of some of the syrups from some of the country’s top hospitals.
Although the Kenyan government said the syrups were not poisonous, health authorities said they were reviewing data on them.
Scientists in the US have for the past two years questioned the effectiveness of the syrups.
THE National Drug Authority (NDA) yesterday cleared 12 syrups, saying they are safe and effective for treatment of coughs and colds among infants.
In a statement issued by the acting executive secretary, Gabriel Kaddu, the authority said the cough and cold syrups had been proved to be of good quality.
“NDA would like to assure the general public that the 12 cough and cold syrups on the national drug register are of good quality, safe and efficacious,†Kaddu said in the statement.
The authority also said the syrups had neither been recalled, withdrawn nor banned from the market.
“There is no sufficient evidence to do so.â€
“But we encourage the public to seek advice from health workers and to also buy medicines from drug shops and pharmacies with the authority’s licenses publicly displayed in their premises,†the statement said.
Kaddu advised health workers and the public to report any suspected ‘adverse drug reaction’ and quality issues related to drugs to the authority.
Media reports last week indicated that 12 syrups were a subject of an investigation by the NDA.
The investigations came amidst reports that doctors in the US, Kenya, and the World Health Organisation had raised concerns about the efficacy of the syrups, most of which are used to treat coughs and colds in infants.
Kenya mid this month also urged parents not to panic over the withdrawal of some of the syrups from some of the country’s top hospitals.
Although the Kenyan government said the syrups were not poisonous, health authorities said they were reviewing data on them.
Scientists in the US have for the past two years questioned the effectiveness of the syrups.