Malachy Uzendu and Florence Udoh
26 November 2008
Abuja — Over 25 children have so far been confirmed dead in the last 14 days, after taking a mixture, known as "My Pikin", the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), said yesterday in Lagos.
At a press briefing, Director General of NAFDAC, Prof Dora Akinyili, said: "On Wednesday, November 19, NAFDAC was alerted through a telephone call from a pharmacist in Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), death of some children which was suspected to be caused by a teething mixture "My Pikin." NAFDAC immediately commenced investigation.
"We visited ABUTH twice within a few hours of same day and it was confirmed. As at November 20, 11 cases were reported, out of which eight had died and three were still on admission and under dialysis at the hospital in Zaria. A baby of eight months was on admission and the mother when interviewed said she purchased the drug in October and used it last on Sunday.
"The child had not been passing urine for the past six (6) days. She did not know the medicine store she purchased the drug from and had thrown the container away. Two of the hospitals where two of the patients were initially admitted before being referred to ABUTH were visited and the doctors informed that the patients were brought in with fever, diarrhea, vomiting and were unable to pass urine for several days.
"So today, in line with our usual tradition of prompt response to distress call and public health hazard, NAFDAC called this press briefing to urgently alert the public through the media that last Monday, we concluded all laboratory tests on the My Pikin drug and found out that it contains a killer element known as diethylene glycol."
"NAFADAC has thus taken the following steps to prevent further death of Nigerian children.
"The agency has shut down Barewa Pharmaceuticals Limited, Lagos, the manufacturer of "My Pikin" teething mixture, all medicine outlets, stores, clinics and hospitals are advised to immediately withdraw from circulating all batches of "My Pikin" teething mixture and surrender them to the nearest NAFDAC office as failure to do so will attract severe sanction; the public especially mothers are enjoined to henceforth stop the use of "My Pikin" teething mixture and report any suspected; case to the agency for appropriate action.
"NAFDAC officers nationwide have been directed to mop up all batches of the offending drug from circulation.
"You will all agree with me that this is a public health emergency that requires the collective action, collaboration and co-operation of all health care providers, the media and general public in averting the looming danger facing millions of our innocent children and parents."
"The drug "My Pikin" upon consumption causes inability for the affected child to pass urine for over 5 days, vomiting and kidney failure, heart failure and death," NAFDAC D.G. said.
Meanwhile, parents, especially mothers, have been advised to immediately stop the use of teething mixture and syrups pending the completion of the investigation of the outbreak of renal failure amongst children between the ages of four months and two years.
They were advised to use paracetamol tablet instead of the teething mixtures and syrups.
The supervising Minister of Health, Hassan Mohammed Lawal, who briefed newsmen on the outbreak of the disease in Abuja yesterday, said already his ministry had dispatched a team of medical personnel led by the director, Public Health of the ministry to Lagos and Zaria, where cases were reported to investigate the while also directing NAFDAC, to swing into action.
He said his ministry is also collaborating with World Health Organisation (WHO) on the matter, and advised mothers whose children have fever, vomiting, diarrhea and inability to pass urine to immediately report to the nearest hospital for diagnosis and treatment.
The minister said: "So far 20 children between the ages of four months and years were seen in Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), with 14 deaths (case fatality rate of 70 per cent). One of the cases at LUTH recovered and has been discharged, while 2 (10 per cent) discharged against medical advice and there is no further information on outcome on these two.
He said, "In Almadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria , 13 cases were reported with nine deaths (Case Fatality rate of 69.2 per cent). 2 cases from LUTH, Lagos were referred to UCH, Ibadan for further management out which one has been reported dead".
"The first report was received from the LUTH, Lagos on November 3, 2008. These cases were referred from Lagos State University teaching Hospital, Surulere general hospital, Federal Medical center Ebute Metta and some private hospitals. As the number of cases increased, it was obvious that this was a likely epidemic. Theses children presented with fever, vomiting from ABUTH, Zaria. The Federal Ministry of health set motion immediately to investigate the cases".
The minister however advised all Nigerians particularly mothers not to panic as according to him, the situation is not infectious and cannot be transmitted from one person to the other, while assuring that the expert team was working round the clock to ensure that the situation is brought under control.
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