The Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) has assured that three cough syrups recently identified to contain a toxic substance have not been imported into the Maldives.

According to MFDA, the syrups in question were manufactured by three Indian pharmaceutical companies, and an alert was issued by the South-East Asia Region Network prohibiting their sale and use after the detection of harmful substances.

The authority emphasized that none of the three companies are authorized to supply medicines to the Maldives and confirmed that no products manufactured by them have entered the country through any recognized import channels.

Reports indicate that several child deaths have been linked to the consumption of these cough syrups in India.

Highlighting the matter’s importance, the MFDA has urged Maldivians traveling to India for medical treatment to exercise caution when purchasing or bringing medicines into the Maldives for personal use.