The World Health Organisation (WHO) has praised the Maldives for becoming the first country to detect harmful substances in imported syrup medicine.
In a press release, the WHO stated that the Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) has demonstrated exemplary commitment and vigilance in identifying contaminants ‘diethylene glycol’ and ‘ethylene glycol’, in syrups manufactured by Pakistan-based PHARMIX Laboratories Private Limited. These contaminants are harmful substances utilized as industrial solvents and antifreeze agents. Ingesting even small amounts, particularly for children, can pose serious health risks.
The WHO stated that the urgency of the matter unfolded in November when the Maldives became the first country to detect such contaminants in syrups after having used a new screening method. Proactively, the MFDA initiated a screening programme of available products in the market. The WHO stated that the findings identified numerous potentially contaminated products, prompting regulatory actions to safeguard public health. Information was disseminated to WHO and other countries and additional investigations were initiated. With the support of WHO, a comprehensive laboratory testing confirmed the contamination, enabling the organisation to safeguard public health at a global scale.
In response to the alerts which was initiated by Maldives, PHARMIX Laboratories was instructed by the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) to halt the production of all oral liquid dosage medicines. On November 16 DRAP issued a Recall Alert for five different syrup medicines manufactured by PHARMIX Laboratories, demonstrating a commitment to public safety, and reinforcing the effectiveness of international collaboration in safeguarding public health.
Additionally, the WHO stated that this success story underscores the importance of Maldives’s risk-based approach to market surveillance, demonstrating the efficacy of international collaboration and translating intentions into actions. The organisation sated that this collaborative and proactive approach, demonstrated by the Maldives, not only rectifies immediate challenges but also paves the way for a safer and more resilient future in the realm of global public health.