The government has allayed fears that four syrups flagged by the World Health Organisation (WHO) over their links to the death of children were being sold in Kenya.
In a statement dated October 7, the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) reiterated that the products linked to an Indian company had not entered the Kenyan market.
The government body asserted that Kenyans should not be alarmed. However, parents were advised to be on the lookout for the said syrups.
WHO flagged Promethazine Oral Solution (Manufactured by an Indian company), Kofexmalin Baby Cough Syrup, Makoff Baby Cough Syrup, and Magrip N Cold Syrup.
"We would like to inform the public that the impacted products are not registered in Kenya, and, therefore, are unavailable in the Kenyan market.
"The Pharmacy and Poisons Board reassures the public that there is no cause for alarm as the cough preparations (syrups) and promethazine products in the Kenyan market meet the market authorization requirements on quality, safety, and efficacy as laid out by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board," read the statement in part.
Further, the agency provided a USSD code Kenyans can use to report drugs they suspect to be harmful.
"Be vigilant at all times and report any suspected poor-quality medicines or adverse drug reactions to the nearest healthcare facility and the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) through our website.
"Mobile users can use the USSD code by dialling *271#," read the notice in part.
The statement by the poisons board comes a day after WHO flagged the cough syrups discovered to contain a harmful substance.
In particular, it was reported that the syrups manufactured in India contained unacceptable amounts of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol as contaminants.
WHO reported that the syrups had circulated in Zambia and had caused over 60 deaths of children.
