Cough syrups linked to fatal child kidney injuries not found in Singapore
Syrup and liquid-based medications associated with kidney injuries and deaths in children overseas are not registered and sold in Singapore, said the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) on Saturday.
The HSA noted that the incidents are suspected to be caused by ethylene glycol or diethylene glycol contamination. These are toxic chemicals.
The affected products are:
1. Termorex Fever
2. Flurin DMP Sirup
3. Unibebi Cough Sirup
4. Unibebi Sirup Fever
5. Unibebi Fever Drops
6. Promethazine Oral Solution
7. Kofexmalin Baby Cough Syrup
8. Makoff Baby Cough Syrup
9. Magrip N Cold Syrup
They are manufactured and produced by PT Konimex, PT Yarindo Farmatama, Universal Pharmaceutical Industries and Maiden Pharmaceuticals.
“Based on our surveillance, these medicines have not been detected locally so far,” said HSA. “We have also not received any serious adverse events reports of acute kidney injury or death in children related to the consumption of contaminated syrup and liquid-based medicines from our healthcare professionals.”
So far, HSA has not stopped the sale or supply of syrup or liquid-based medications here. But it said it will send out public alerts if there are any local cases and issue recalls.
In October, Indonesia temporarily banned sales of all syrup-based medications after nearly 100 children died due to acute kidney injuries in 2022.
Meanwhile, Gambia is investigating child acute kidney injury deaths linked to paracetamol syrups after 70 fatalities there. The syrups were made by New Delhi-based Maiden Pharmaceuticals, which India is investigating.
HSA said all syrup and liquid-based medications sold here are required to meet international standards of quality, safety and efficacy. It assesses clinical studies data, manufacturing and quality control processes, and conducts checks to ensure that manufacturers conform to international Good Manufacturing Practice standards.
HSA advised those who have obtained the medications overseas or from unfamiliar sources to monitor their health and consult a doctor if they feel unwell.
Signs and symptoms of acute kidney injury include decreased urine output, swelling in legs, ankles and around the eyes, fatigue, nausea, shortness of breath and confusion. It also advised the public to exercise caution when buying health products online or from unfamiliar overseas sources.
“HSA will continue to monitor the situation closely and will also step up our surveillance checks to ensure that medicines available locally continue to be safe for use,” it said.
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