Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) has raised concerns about the presence of potentially harmful chemicals found in syrup medicines used for treating cough and fever, as well as paracetamol intended for children in various countries within the region. While these medications are commonly used in several countries, including the Maldives, the health ministry has confirmed that none of the imported batches currently circulating in the Maldives contain these substances.
In a gazette notification published on Wednesday, the MFDA, which operates under the jurisdiction of the health ministry, highlighted that the identified medicines contain harmful chemicals such as Diethylene Glycol and Ethylene Glycol. To ensure the safety of the public, the notification outlined a precautionary measure stating that starting from June 31, every batch of imported paracetamol, cough, and fever medicines must be accompanied by a report prepared by a WHO pre-qualified laboratory.
This step aims to enhance the regulatory scrutiny and monitoring of these medications to ensure they meet the necessary safety standards. By mandating the inclusion of a laboratory report from a reputable source, the MFDA intends to provide additional assurance regarding the absence of these harmful substances in the medicines available within the Maldives.
