Health

Minister calls for vigilance as WHO warns of toxic syrups.

by Morine Tanyi
20 Nov 2025 18:45
651 views

Dr Manaouda Malachie, Minister of Public Health

The Minister of Public Health, Dr Malachie Manaouda, has urged citizens to exercise vigilance after the World Health Organisation, WHO, issued a global alert banning the consumption of three substandard children’s syrups manufactured in India.

The information was made known recently by the international body. According to the WHO, the products, widely sold for the treatment of coughs and colds in children, have been found to contain dangerous substances capable of causing severe poisoning.

In a message posted on his official X formerly Twitter handle, Dr Manaouda informed the public that the syrups are; COLDDRIF, RESPIFRESH TR and ReLife. He restated that the WHO have identified the syrups as being unsafe for consumption.

The minister noted that laboratory analyses detected toxic components that pose significant health risks, especially for young children whose bodies are more vulnerable to chemical contamination.

Dr Manaouda further reassured the population that the Ministry of Public Health has already instructed its technical departments to reinforce surveillance at entry points and across pharmaceutical supply chains.

He insisted that no compromise will be tolerated regarding the safety of medicines circulating within the country.

The minister equally insisted on the need for the population to work in collaboration with authorities for the strict enforcement of his directives.

The minister also asked households, pharmacies and health facilities to immediately discontinue the use of any of the three syrups if they are in possession of them.

Dr Manaouda encouraged citizens to report any suspected cases or suspicious products directly to the Ministry of Public Health.

According to the WHO, the mentioned syrups may contain compounds linked to acute kidney injury and other life-threatening complications.

The global organisation equally noted that similar alerts in the past have been associated with outbreaks of poisoning in several countries. This, the WHO said, has prompted international concern over the quality control of certain pharmaceutical products originating from unregulated facilities.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3627 of Monday November 17, 2025