NAFDAC has issued a warning about a substandard paracetamol suspension called PARA CLEAR SUSPENSION 125, which was received from the Liberian Medicine and Health Product Regulatory Authority.
The laboratory analysis has revealed that the product contains toxic ethylene glycol, which is not expected to be present in such products. Additionally, the product failed to meet the requirements for acute oral toxicity, resulting in the deaths of five laboratory animals.
Diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol are harmful to humans and can be fatal if ingested. The toxic effects may include symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, inability to urinate, headache, changes in mental state, and acute kidney injury, which can lead to death.
Even though the product is not listed in the NAFDAC database, caution is advised for importers, distributors, retailers, and consumers to prevent the importation, distribution, sale, and use of these substandard (contaminated) syrups.
NAFDAC strongly urges the public not to purchase medicinal products from unauthorized sources such as roadside vendors and street hawkers, as counterfeit drugs are often smuggled into the country from neighboring nations and distributed through such inappropriate channels.
