LAHORE MIRROR — The Gambian government is actively exploring legal avenues to hold an Indian drug maker and a local distributor accountable for the tragic deaths of dozens of children in the country due to toxic cough syrups.
Earlier, at least 70 Gambian children, the majority of them under the age of 5, succumbed to acute kidney injury, with a government task force attributing the fatalities directly to contaminated cough and cold syrups imported from India.
Taking the matter seriously, Gambia had previously dismissed the executive director and deputy director of its Medicines Control Agency (MCA) and referred the case to the police when it was discovered that the implicated medicines were not registered with the MCA, as mandated by law.
In pursuit of justice for the affected families, the West African nation has now engaged the services of a prominent US law firm to explore potential legal actions against India and the pharmaceutical company, Maiden Pharmaceuticals. Maiden Pharmaceuticals, however, vehemently denies any wrongdoing, with the Indian government supporting their claims by stating that tests conducted on the drugs revealed no signs of contamination.
Amid the ongoing legal proceedings, 20 families of the deceased children have already filed lawsuits against both companies and Gambian authorities. The government of The Gambia is presently receiving legal counsel from a leading international law firm and is also seeking resolution through dialogue with the Government of India.
In a broader effort to improve healthcare regulation, the health ministry has taken the initiative to review all health-related legislation in the country.
As the Gambian government intensifies its pursuit of justice for the victims and their families, the international community remains attentive to the developments surrounding this tragic incident.
